Source  TSooks  of  american  fotstorp. 


HEATH'S   MEMOIRS. 


SOURCE   BOOKS  OF 
AMERICAN   HISTORY. 

Edited  with  Notes  and  Introduction  by 
RUFUS    ROCKWELL    WILSON 

Andrew  Burnaby.  Travels  Through  the 
Middle  Settlements  of  North  America, 
i759-6o. 

Reprinted  from  the  last  (the  third)  edition  of  1798. 

Small  8vo,  cloth,  with  map.      $2.00  net. 

William  Heath.  Memoirs  of  the  Ameri 
can  War. 

Reprinted  from  edition  of  1798. 
Small  8vo,  cloth.      $2.50  net. 

W.W.  Canfield.    Legends  of  the  Iroquois. 

Small  8vo,  cloth,  illustrated.      $1.50  net. 


IN  PREPARATION: 

William  Moultrie.    Memoirs  of  the  Ameri 
can  Revolution. 

Freiin  von  Reidesel.    Letters  and  Journal. 

Thomas  J.  Dimsdale.     Vigilantes  of  Mon 
tana. 

AND  OTHERS. 

A.  WESSELS  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK. 


H  EATH'S    MEMOIRS 

O  F    TH  E 
AMERICAN    WAR 


REPRINTED     FROM    THE     ORIGINAL 
EDITION    OF    1798 


WITH  INTRODUCTION  AND  NOTES  BY 

RUFUS    ROCKWELL    WILSON 


J&eto   fUrfc 
A.  WESSELS   COMPANY 

1904 


Copyright,  1904,  by 
A.  WESSELS  COMPANY,  NEW  YORK 

Printed  October,  1904. 


Plimpton  Press  Norwood  Mass. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

EDITOR'S  FOREWORD  (new) 7 

ADVERTISEMENT n 

INTRODUCTION 13 

MEMOIRS 15 

EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  (new) 405 

KEY  TO  NAMES  OF  PLACES  (new) 423 

INDEX  (new) 425 


"04029 


UNIVERSITY   1 

r°w; 


EDITOR'S  FOREWORD. 

THE  book  here  reprinted  is  one  of  the  most 
valuable  of  the  contemporary  narratives  of 
the  Revolution,  though  one  gains  from  its 
pages  the  impression  that  its  worthy  and  patriotic 
author  was  a  soldier  better  fitted  for  muster  service 
and  barrack  duty  than  for  active  command  in  the 
field.  This  impression  is  strengthened  by  an  inci 
dent  to  which  General  Heath  makes  only  partial  and 
apologetic  reference. 

Washington,  then  on  his  retreat  through  New  Jer 
sey,  on  January  7,  1777,  ordered  Heath  to  move  from 
his  camp  in  Westchester  toward  New  York,  "as  if 
with  a  design  upon  that  city."  Heath's  forces, 
marching  in  three  divisions,  arrived  on  January  18 
before  Fort  Independence,  whose  garrison  of  nearly 
2,000  Hessians  were  allowed  "twenty  minutes  in 
which  to  surrender  or  to  abide  the  consequences." 
But  the  garrison  did  not  surrender,  and  Heath  re 
mained  for  ten  days  in  the  neighborhood  without 
attempting  to  enforce  his  demand.  Then  a  sally 
from  the  garrison  created  a  panic  in  one  regiment  at 
an  advanced  post,  and  led  a  little  later  to  the  with 
drawal  of  the  entire  army.  Heath's  abortive  demon 
stration  caused  Washington  to  write  him  as  follows: 

"This  letter  .  .  .  is  to  hint  to  you,  and  I  do  it  with 
concern,  that  your  conduct  is  censured  (and  by  men 
of  sense  and  judgment  who  have  been  with  you  on 
the  expedition  to  Fort  Independence)  as  being 


8  EDITOR'S  FOREWORD 

fraught  with  too  much  caution;  by  which  the  army 
has  been  disappointed  and  in  some  degree  disgraced. 
Your  summons,  as  you  did  not  attempt  to  fulfil  your 
threats,  was  not  only  idle  but  farcical,  and  will  not 
fail  of  turning  the  laugh  exceedingly  upon  us/' 

Thereafter  and  until  the  close  of  the  war  General 
Heath  was  not  again  entrusted  with  any  important 
operation  in  the  field.  Following  his  return  to  pri 
vate  life  in  1783  he  found  congenial  employment  in 
the  conduct  of  his  farm  in  Roxbury.  He  also  served 
as  a  member  of  the  State  convention  that  ratified  the 
Federal  constitution,  as  a  State  senator  in  1791  and 
1792,  and  in  1793  as  probate  judge  of  his  county. 
In  1806  he  was  elected  lieutenant-governor  of  his 
State,  but  declined  the  office.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  January  24,  1814,  he  was  the  last  surviving 
major-general  of  the  Continental  Army. 

General  Heath's  "Memoirs"  were  published  in 
1798,  and  have  never  been  reprinted  except  in  a 
limited  edition.  There  is,  therefore,  excellent  reason 
why  they  should  now  be  reissued  in  a  form  which 
places  them  within  the  reach  of  the  student  of  slender 
purse.  Heath  fails  now  and  then  to  make  clear  the 
true  meaning  of  events,  and  this  defect  the  present 
editor  has  essayed  to  remedy  in  his  notes,  at  the  same 
time  elucidating  references  that  might  otherwise  be 
obscure  to  the  average  reader.  No  liberties  have 
been  taken  with  the  text,  but  occasional  errors  in  the 
spelling  of  proper  names  have  been  corrected  in  the 
index,  where  also  an  attempt  has  been  made  to 
supply  all  given  names  omitted  by  the  author.  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  in  its  new  garb  an  interesting 
and  valuable  book  will  enter  upon  a  new  lease  of 

life*  R.  R.  W. 


MEMOIRS 


OF 


MAJOR-GENERAL  HEATH. 

CONTAINING 

ANECDOTES,  DETAILS   of  SKIRMISHES, 
BATTLES,  and  other  MILITARY  EVENTS, 

DURING    THE 

AMERICAN     WAR. 


BT  HIMSELF. 


according  to  act  of  Congrefe* 


PRINTED  AT  BOSTON, 

BY  I.  THOMAS  AND  E.  T.  ANDREWS, 

FAUST'S  STATUE,  No.  45,  NEWBURY-STREET. 

Sold  by  them;  by  I.  THOMAS,  Worcefter ;    by   THOMAS,  ANDREWS   &  PEN- 

NIMAN,  Albany  ;  by  THOMAS,  ANDREWS   £f  BUTLER,   Baltimore  ; 

and  by  the  Bookfellers  throughout  the  Continent. 

AUG.  1798. 

[Facsimile  Title  Page,  First  Edition.] 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

IT  was  not  the  intention  to  publish  the  Memoirs  during 
the  life-time  of  the  writer.  They  were  penned  for  his 
own  review,  and  the  information  and  satisfaction  of  his 
own  family,  as  well  as  posterity:  If  any  should  think  their 
present  publication  in  any  respects  relative  to  himself  as 
too  ostentatious,  candour,  it  is  presumed,  will  decide  that 
there  is  no  alternative,  unless  the  Memoirs  are  mutilated  in 
facts,  or  denied  at  present  a  publication.  The  pressing  im 
portunity  of  very  many  is  the  sole  reason  of  their  appear 
ance  at  this  time. 

SUCH  of  the  facts  as  happened  under  the  observation, 
or  within  the  immediate  knowledge  of  the  writer,  have 
been  impartially  narrated:  Those  which  he  has  been  obliged 
to  collect  from  other  information,  have  been  as  faithfully 
attempted;  but  their  authenticity  cannot  be  equally  vouched 
for.  There  are  doubtless  many  errors.  It  is  the  lot  of 
man  to  be  fallible. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


INTRODUCTION. 

NATURE  seems  to  have  decreed,  that  not  only 
the  minor  branches  of  families,  when  they  arrive  at 
a  proper  age  of  maturity,  shall  separate  from  their 
parents,  and  become  distinct  families;  but  that  col 
onies,  when  they  arrive  at  a  certain  degree  of  popu 
lation  and  affluence,  shall  separate  from  the  mother 
state,  and  become  independent  and  sovereign.  How 
soever  fit  and  proper  this  economy  of  nature  may 
be,  experience  has  taught  the  world  that  it  has  been 
the  mistaken  policy  of  nations,  in  almost  all  ages,  to 
oppose  such  separations,  as  the  period  approximates, 
by  an  impolitic  exercise  of  power,  thereby  alienating 
the  affections  of  the  colonists,  and  rousing  in  their 
breasts  those  innate  principles  of  liberty  which  na 
ture  hath  implanted;  (but  which,  had  they  not  been 
awakened  by  a  severity  of  conduct,  would  have 
much  longer  reposed  on  the  bosom  of  a  mother,  and 
even  have  spurned  the  idea  of  separation)  and  have 
also  made  use  of  armed  force,  in  the  most  unnatural 
and  cruel  manner  to  hold  in  subjection  those  by 
nature  in  every  respect  free  as  themselves.  And  in 
the  prosecution  of  a  war  thus  enkindled,  alliances 
are  fought  for,  and  formed,  by  both  parties,  even 
with  those  who  before  were  considered  as  the  enemies 
of  each.  This  has  been  exemplified  in  the  conduct 
of  Great  Britain  towards  her  American  colonies, 
and  by  the  people  of  the  now  United  States  of 
America  in  their  struggle  for  freedom,  and  the  es 
tablishment  of  independence  and  sovereignty. 


14  INTRODUCTION 

IT  is  not  the  intention  of  the  writer  to  go  into  a 
detail  of  the  first  settlement  of  this  country,  or  the 
vicissitudes  which  have  attended  it,  at  different  pe 
riods;  nor  of  the  rise  of  the  late  revolution:  as  these 
have  already  been  attempted  by  several  writers,  and 
probably  will  hereafter  be  further  elucidated  by  other 
pens. 

To  preserve  and  perpetuate  a  daily  journal  of 
occurrences,  through  nearly  the  whole  of  the  late 
American  war,  is  the  present  object.  And  although 
the  following  pages  are  not  decorated  with  the  flow 
ers  of  Greece  or  Rome,  and  for  their  diction  cannot 
claim  the  patronage  of  the  learned,  they  contain  a 
state  of  facts  in  detail,  which  may  not  be  unpleasing 
to  posterity,  who  will  wish,  as  much  as  is  possible, 
to  learn  from  every  remaining  vestige,  the  conduct 
and  successes  of  their  ancestors  in  that  revolution 
which  laid  the  foundation  of  the  independence  and 
sovereignty  of  their  country.  To  them,  therefore, 
are  the  following  memoirs  bequeathed,  by  him  who 
was  an  eye-witness  to  many  of  the  facts  which  are 
related,  and  who  collected  the  others  from  the  best 
information  the  then  moment  and  circumstances 
would  admit. 

THAT  the  United  States  of  America,  by  their 
virtue,  their  wisdom  and  their  valour,  may  support 
and  maintain  the  noble  achievements  of  their  ances 
tors,  and  render  them  still  more  brilliant,  is  the 
earnest  wish  of  their  devoted, 

Humble  Servant, 

W.  HEATH. 

ROXBURY,   1798. 


MEMOIRS,   &>c. 

MAJOR-GENERAL  WILLIAM  HEATH  descended 
from  an  ancient  family  in  Roxbury,  near 
Boston,  in  Massachusetts,  and  is  of  the 
fifth  generation  of  the  family  who  have  inherited  the 
same  real  estate,  (taken  up  in  a  state  of  nature) 
not  large,  but  fertile,  and  pleasantly  situated.* 

He  was  born  March  2d,  (old  style)  1737,  was 
brought  up  a  farmer,  of  which  profession  he  is  yet  pas 
sionately  fond.  He  is  of  middling  stature,  light  com 
plexion,  very  corpulent,  and  bald-headed,  which  led 
the  French  officers  who  served  in  America,  very  fre 
quently  to  compare  him  to  the  Marquis  of  Granby.f 
From  his  childhood  he  was  remarkably  fond  of  mili 
tary  exercises,  which  passion  grew  up  with  him,  and 
as  he  arrived  at  years  of  maturity,  led  him  to  procure, 
and  attentively  to  study,  every  military  treatise  in 
the  English  language,  which  was  obtainable.  This, 
with  a  strong  memory,  rendered  him  fully  acquainted 
with  the  theory  of  war  in  all  its  branches  and  duties, 
from  the  private  soldier,  to  the  Commander  in  Chief. 

Through  the  inactive  state  of  the  militia  company 
to  which  he  belonged,  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1765, 
he  went  over  to  Boston,  and  entered  a  member  of 
the  Ancient  and  Honourable  Artillery  Company. 

*  See  Appendix  I.     f  Chastellux's  Travels; 


16  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS 

This  immediately  recommended  him  to  the  notice 
of  the  Colonel  of  the  first  regiment  of  militia  in  the 
county  of  Suffolk,  who  sent  for  him,  and  importuned 
him  to  take  the  command  of  his  own  company;  to 
which  Mr.  Heath  was  reluctant,  apprehensive  that 
his  youth,  and  stepping  over  those  who  had  a  better 
claim,  by  former  office  in  the  company,  to  the  com 
mand  of  it,  might  produce  an  uneasiness.  He  was, 
however,  commissioned  by  Gov.  Barnard;  and  his 
apprehensions  of  uneasiness  proved  to  be  groundless. 

In  the  Ancient  and  Honourable  Artillery  Company, 
he  was  chosen,  and  served,  first  as  Lieutenant,  and 
afterwards  as  Captain. 

In  the  first  regiment  of  the  militia  of  Suffolk,  he 
became  the  military  favourite  of  Gov.  Barnard,  who 
publicly  declared,  that  he  would  not  only  make  him 
Colonel  of  the  regiment,  but,  if  it  were  in  his  power, 
a  General  Officer  also. 

As  the  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and  her 
American  Colonies  put  on  a  more  serious  aspect,  our 
Captain  did  not  hesitate,  for  a  moment,  to  declare 
his  sentiments  in  favour  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
his  fellow-countrymen.  This  alarmed  Gov.  Bar 
nard's  apprehensions,  but  did  not  alter  his  open 
conduct  towards  our  Captain;  though  he  privately 
intimated,  that  if  he  should  promote  him,  he  might 
injure  the  cause  of  his  royal  master.  It  was  after 
wards  intimated  to  our  Captain,  that  if  he  was  not 
advanced  to  the  command  of  the  regiment,  he  might 
rest  assured,  that  his  feelings  would  never  (during 
Gov.  Barnard's  administration)  be  hurt  by  any  other 
officers  being  promoted  over  him;  which  was  verified, 
Gov.  Barnard  leaving  the  province  with  this  regiment 
unorganized. 

Capt.  Heath,  convinced  that  the  cloud  was  rapidly 
gathering,  and  would  assuredly  burst  over  America, 


HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  17 

in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1770,  commenced  his 
addresses  to  the  public,  under  the  signature  of  A 
Military  Countryman,  and  which  were  occasionally 
continued  until  hostilities  commenced.  In  them  he 
urged  the  importance  of  military  discipline,  and  skill 
in  the  use  of  arms,  as  the  only  means,  under  Heaven, 
that  could  save  the  country  from  falling  a  prey  to 
any  daring  invader. 

Gov.  Hutchinson  succeeded  Gov.  Barnard.  He 
organized  the  first  regiment  in  Suffolk;  and,  as  might 
be  expected,  our  Captain  had  a  respite  from 
command. 

When  it  was  recommended  to  the  people  of  Mas 
sachusetts,  to  choose  officers  themselves  to  command 
them,  our  Captain  was  unanimously  chosen  to  take 
the  command  of  the  first  company  in  the  town  of 
Roxbury,  (his  old  and  favourite  company;)  and  on 
the  meeting  of  the  Captains  and  subalterns  of  the 
first  regiment  of  militia  in  Suffolk,  he  was  chosen 
Colonel. 

The  people  of  Massachusetts,  having  determined 
to  support  their  rights  and  liberties  at  every  hazard, 
(finding  that  such  was  the  sense  of  the  people  of 
their  sister  Colonies)  after  the  dissolution  of  their 
General  Court,  elected  a  Provincial  Congress.  This 
Congress  appointed  a  Committee  of  Safety  (of  whom 
our  Colonel  was  one),  vested  with  executive  powers; 
and  another  committee,  called  the  Committee  of  Sup 
plies.  The  latter  were  to  purchase  military  stores, 
provisions,  &c.  and  deposit  them  in  such  places  as 
the  former  should  direct.  Both  committees  entered 
on  the  duties  of  their  respective  functions.  The 
Provincial  Congress  voted  a  sum  of  money  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  military  stores  and  provisions; 
and  a  quantity  of  both  were  collected,  and  stored  in 
the  town  of  Concord. 


i8  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [FEB.  i775 

The  militia,  and  the  corps  of  minute  men,  as  they 
were  called,  (the  latter  composed  of  the  young  and 
active)  were  furnished  with  officers  of  their  own 
choosing.  The  greatest  attention  was  exhibited  by 
the  officers,  which  was  as  cheerfully  seconded  by 
the  citizen  soldiers,  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of 
military  duty. 

In  the  month  of  February,  1775,  the  Provincial 
Congress  passed  the  following  resolutions: 

"In  Provincial  Congress,  Cambridge,  February 
gth,  1775  —  Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  Jedidiah 
Prebble,  Esq.  Hon.  Artemas  Ward,  Esq.  Col.  Seth 
Pomeroy,  Col.  John  Thomas,  and  Col.  William 
Heath,  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  appointed  General 
Officers,  whose  business  and  duty  it  shall  be,  with 
such  and  so  many  of  the  militia  of  this  province  as 
shall  be  assembled  by  order  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  effectually  to  oppose  and  resist  such  attempt 
or  attempts  as  shall  be  made  for  carrying  into  execu 
tion  an  act  of  the  British  Parliament,  entitled,  "An 
Act  for  the  better  regulation  of  the  Government  of 
the  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England" 
—  or  who  shall  attempt  the  carrying  into  execution, 
by  force,  another  act  of  the  British  Parliament,  en 
titled,  "An  Act  for  the  more  impartial  administra 
tion  of  justice,  in  cases  of  persons  questioned  for 
any  act  done  by  them  in  the  execution  of  the  law, 
or  for  the  suppression  of  riots  and  tumults  in  the 
Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay"  -  so  long  as  the 
said  militia  shall  be  retained  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  and  no  longer.  And  the  said  General  Offi 
cers  shall,  while  in  the  said  service,  command,  lead 
and  conduct,  in  such  opposition,  in  the  order  in 
which  they  are  above  named;  any  order  of  any  for 
mer  Congress  varying  herefrom,  notwithstanding." 


APRIL,  17751        HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  19 

"In    Provincial    Congress,    Cambridge,    February 
l$tb,   1775 — Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  John   Wbit- 
comb,  Esq.  be  added  to  the  General  Officers. 
A  true  extract  from  the  minutes, 

(Signed)  BENJ.  LINCOLN,  Sec'ry." 

Gen.  Prebble  declined  the  service. 

In  the  month  of  March  following,  the  Provincial 
Congress  appointed  a  committee  to  make  a  minute 
inquiry  into  the  state  of  the  operations  of  the  British 
army.  On  the  2Oth  of  the  same  month,  the  com 
mittee  reported,  that  the  British  army  then  consisted 
of  about  2850  men,  distributed  as  follows:  On  Boston 
common,  about  1700;  on  Fort  Hill,  400;  on  Boston 
neck,  340;  in  barracks  at  the  Castle,  330;  quartered 
in  King  street,  80; — that  they  were  erecting  works 
on  Boston  neck,  on  both  sides  of  the  way,  well  con 
structed  and  well  executed;  the  works  were  in  for 
wardness,  and  then  mounted  with  ten  brass  and  two 
iron  cannon;  that  the  old  fortification,  at  the  en 
trance  of  the  town,  was  repaired,  and  rendered  much 
stronger  by  the  addition  of  timber  and  earth  to  the 
parapet;  that  ten  pieces  of  iron  cannon  were  mounted 
on  the  old  platforms;  that  a  block-house,  brought 
from  Governor's  Island,  was  erecting  on  the  south 
side  of  the  neck,  between  the  old  fortification  and 
the  new  works  advanced  on  the  neck. 

On  the  1 8th  of  April,  our  General  had  been  sitting 
with  the  Committee  of  Safety,  at  Arlington  in  Cam 
bridge;  and  on  his  return  home,  soon  after  he  left 
the  committee,  and  about  sun-setting,  he  met  eight 
or  nine  British  officers  on  horseback,  with  their 
swords  and  pistols,  riding  up  the  road  towards  Lex 
ington.  The  time  of  day,  and  distance  from  Boston, 
excited  suspicion  of  some  design.  They  indeed  were 


20  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  I775 

out  reconnoitring,  and  getting  intelligence,  but  were 
not  molested. 

On  the  i  Qth,  at  day-break,  our  General  was  awoke, 
called  from  his  bed,  and  informed  that  a  detachment 
of  the  British  army  were  out;  that  they  had  crossed 
from  Boston  to  Phipps's  farm,  in  boats,  and  had 
gone  towards  Concord,  as  was  supposed,  with  intent 
to  destroy  the  public  stores.  They  probably  had 
notice  that  the  committees  had  met  the  preceding 
day  at  Wetherby's  tavern,  at  Arlington;  for,  when 
they  came  opposite  to  the  house,  they  halted.  Sev 
eral  of  the  gentlemen  slept  there  during  the  night. 
Among  them  were  Col.  Orne,  Col.  Lee,  and  Mr. 
Gerry.  One  of  them  awoke,  and  informed  the 
others  that  a  body  of  the  British  were  before  the 
house.  They  immediately  made  their  escape,  with 
out  time  to  dress  themselves,  at  the  back  door,  re 
ceiving  some  injury  from  obstacles  in  the  way,  in 
their  undressed  state.  They  made  their  way  into 
the  fields.  The  country  was  immediately  alarmed, 
and  the  minute  men  and  militia  turned  out  with 
great  spirit.  Near  Lexington  meeting-house  the 
British  found  the  militia  of  that  town  drawn  up  by 
the  road.  Towards  these  they  advanced,  ordered 
them  to  disperse,  huzzaed,  and  fired  upon  them; 
when  several  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  rest 
dispersed.  This  was  the  first  shedding  of  blood  in 
the  American  war. 

This  company  continuing  to  stand  so  near  to  the 
road,  after  they  had  certain  notice  of  the  advancing 
of  the  British  in  force,  was  but  a  too  much  braving  of 
danger;  for  they  were  sure  to  meet  with  insult,  or 
injury,  which  they  could  not  repel.  Bravery,  when 
called  to  action,  should  always  take  the  strong  ground 
on  the  basis  of  reason. 

The  British  proceeded  on  to  Concord,  where  they 


APRIL,  1775]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  21 

destroyed  a  part  of  the  stores,  while  others  were  saved 
by  the  vigilance,  activity,  or  policy,  of  the  inhabi 
tants.  In  the  latter,  a  Capt.  Wheeler  practised  with 
such  address,  as  to  save  a  considerable  quantity  of 
flour,  although  exposed  to  the  critical  examination  of 
a  British  officer. 

The  British  had  sent  a  party  to  the  North  Bridge, 
while  they  were  destroying  the  stores  in  the  town. 
A  body  of  militia,  who  had  retreated  beyond  the 
bridge,  and  collected  in  this  quarter,  now  marched 
up  resolutely  to  the  bridge.  The  British  officer, 
finding  their  firmness,  ordered  his  men  to  fire,  which 
they  did,  and  two  men  of  the  militia  were  killed. 
The  fire  was  briskly  returned;  some  were  killed  and 
wounded  of  the  enemy,  and  an  officer  taken  prisoner. 
The  British  party  retreated  with  precipitation  to 
their  main  body,  and  the  whole  soon  commenced 
their  retreat  towards  Boston;  the  militia  galling  them 
on  all  sides.  This  detachment,  under  the  command 
of  Col.  Smith,  must  have  been  worn  down,  and  the 
whole  of  them  killed,  or  taken  prisoners,  had  it  not 
been  for  the  reinforcement  sent  out  to  them,  under 
the  command  of  Lord  Percy,  with  two  field-pieces, 
who  joined  them  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town  of 
Lexington. 

Our  General,  in  the  morning,  proceeded  to  the 
Committee  of  Safety.  From  the  committee,  he  took 
a  cross  road  to  Watertown,  the  British  being  in  pos 
session  of  the  Lexington  road.  At  Watertown,  find 
ing  some  militia  who  had  not  marched,  but  applied 
for  orders,  he  sent  them  down  to  Cambridge,  with 
directions  to  take  up  the  planks,  barricade  the  south 
end  of  the  bridge,  and  there  to  take  post;  that,  in 
case  the  British  should,  on  their  return,  take  that 
road  to  Boston,  their  retreat  might  be  impeded.  He 
then  pushed  to  join  the  militia,  taking  a  cross  road 


22  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i775 

towards  Lexington,  in  which  he  was  joined  by  Dr. 
Joseph  Warren,  (afterwards  a  Major-General)  who 
kept  with  him. 

Our  General  joined  the  militia  just  after  Lord 
Percy  had  joined  the  British;  and  having  assisted 
in  forming  a  regiment,  which  had  been  broken  by 
the  shot  from  the  British  field-pieces,  (for  the  dis 
charge  of  these,  together  with  the  flames  and  smoke 
of  several  buildings,  to  which  the  British,  nearly  at 
the  same  time,  had  set  fire,  opened  a  new  and  more 
terrific  scene;)  and  the  British  having  again  taken  up 
their  retreat,  were  closely  pursued.  On  descend 
ing  from  the  high  grounds  in  Arlington,  on  to  the 
plain,  the  fire  was  brisk.  At  this  instant,  a  musket- 
ball  came  so  near  to  the  head  of  Dr.  Warren,  as  to 
strike  the  pin  out  of  the  hair  of  his  earlock.  Soon 
after,  the  right  flank  of  the  British  was  exposed  to 
the  fire  of  a  body  of  militia,  which  had  come  from 
Roxbury,  Brookline,  Dorchester,  &c.  For  a  few 
minutes  the  fire  was  brisk  on  both  sides;  and  the 
British  had  here  recourse  to  their  field-pieces  again; 
but  they  were  now  more  familiar  than  before.  Here 
the  militia  were  so  close  on  the  rear  of  the  British, 
that  Dr.  Downer,  an  active  and  enterprising  man, 
came  to  single  combat  with  a  British  soldier,  whom 
he  killed  with  his  bayonet. 

Not  far  from  this  place,  several  of  the  militia 
(among  whom  was  Isaac  Gardner,  Esq.  of  Brookline, 
a  valuable  citizen)  imprudently  posted  themselves 
behind  some  dry  casks,  at  Watson's  Corner,  and  near 
to  the  road,  unsuspicious  of  the  enemy's  flank-guard, 
which  came  behind  them,  and  killed  every  one  of 
them  dead  on  the  spot. 

The  militia  continued  to  hang  on  the  rear  of  the 
British,  until  they  reached  Bunker's  Hill  in  Charles- 
town;  and  it  had  become  so  dusk,  as  to  render  the 


APRIL,  i775l        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  23 

flashes  of  the  muskets  very  visible.  At  this  instant, 
an  officer  on  horseback  came  up  from  the  Medford 
road,  and  inquired  the  circumstances  of  the  enemy; 
adding,  that  about  700  men  were  close  behind,  on 
their  way  from  Salem  to  join  the  militia.  Had  these 
arrived  a  few  minutes  sooner,  the  left  flank  of  the 
British  must  have  been  greatly  exposed,  and  suffered 
considerably;  perhaps  their  retreat  would  have  been 
cut  off.  As  soon  as  the  British  gained  Bunker's  Hill, 
they  immediately  formed  in  a  line  opposite  to  the 
neck;  when  our  General  judged  it  expedient  to  order 
the  militia,  who  were  now  at  the  common,  to  halt, 
and  give  over  the  pursuit,  as  any  further  attempt 
upon  the  enemy,  in  that  position,  would  have  been 
futile. 

Our  General  immediately  assembled  the  officers 
around  him,  at  the  foot  of  Prospect  Hill,  and  ordered 
a  guard  to  be  formed,  and  posted  near  that  place, 
sentinels  to  be  planted  down  to  the  neck,  and  patrols 
to  be  vigilant  in  moving  during  the  night;  and  an 
immediate  report  to  him,  in  case  the  enemy  made 
any  movements.  The  militia  were  then  ordered  to 
march  to  the  town  of  Cambridge;  where,  after  form 
ing  and  sending  off  another  guard  to  the  points  below 
the  town,  the  whole  were  ordered  to  lie  on  their 
arms. 

About  midnight,  there  was  an  alarm  that  the  enemy 
were  coming  up  the  river.  It  proved  to  be  only  an 
armed  schooner,  probably  sent  to  make  discovery. 
She  got  a-ground,  and  continued  so  until  the  next 
tide;  and  if  there  had  been  a  single  field-piece  with 
the  militia,  she  might  have  been  taken.  The  marsh 
was  too  deep  to  approach  sufficiently  near  to  do 
any  execution  with  small-arms;  and  the  first 
day's  hostilities  of  the  ever  memorable  American 
war,  was,  on  their  part,  without  a  single  piece  of 


24  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  I775 

cannon  in  the  field!  Gen.  WHITCOMB  was  in  this 
day's  battle. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2Oth,  our  General  ordered 
Capt.  John  Battle,  of  Dedham,  with  his  company  of 
militia,  to  pass  over  the  ground  which  had  been  the 
scene  of  action  the  preceding  day,  and  to  bury  such 
of  the  slain  as  he  should  find  unburied.  The  grounds 
around  Cambridge  were  immediately  reconnoitred, 
and  alarm-posts  assigned  to  the  several  corps;  and 
in  case  the  British  should  come  out  in  superior  force, 
and  drive  the  militia  from  the  town,  they  were  or 
dered  to  rally  and  form  on  the  high  grounds  towards 
Watertown. 

How  to  feed  the  assembled  and  assembling  militia, 
was  now  the  great  object.  All  the  eatables  in  the 
town  of  Cambridge,  which  could  be  spared,  were 
collected  for  breakfast,  and  the  college  kitchen  and 
utensils  procured  for  cooking.  Some  carcases  of 
beef  and  pork,  prepared  for  the  Boston  market  on 
the  1 8th,  at  Little  Cambridge,  were  sent  for,  and  ob 
tained;  and  a  large  quantity  of  ship-bread  at  Rox- 
bury,  said  to  belong  to  the  British  navy,  was  taken 
for  the  militia.  These  were  the  first  provisions  which 
were  obtained. 

At  ii  o'clock,  A.M.  our  General  appointed  Mr. 
Joseph  Ward,  a  gentleman  of  abilities,  his  Aide-de 
camp  and  Secretary,  (afterwards  Muster-Master- 
General  of  the  army)  who  entered  on  the  duties  of 
his  new  office.  This  was  the  first  appointment  of 
the  kind  in  the  American  army.  Before  noon,  a  let 
ter  was  received  from  the  Committee  of  Supplies  at 
Concord,  expressing  their  joy  at  the  event  of  the  pre 
ceding  day,  with  assurances  that  every  exertion  in 
their  power  should  be  put  in  exercise,  to  forward 
supplies  to  the  militia  in  arms.  In  the  afternoon, 
Gen.  WARD  arrived  at  Cambridge,  who,  being  senior 


APRIL,  i77S]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  25 

in  the  order  of  appointment,  took  the  command 
accordingly. 

In  the  battle  on  the  iQth,  the  British  were  said  to 
have  65  killed,  180  wounded,  and  28  made  prisoners; 
in  all,  273.  Of  the  militia,  50  were  killed,  and  34 
wounded;  in  all,  84.  It  might  have  been  expected, 
that  in  a  retreat  of  so  many  miles,  the  British  loss 
would  have  been  greater;  but  it  is  to  be  remembered, 
that  as  they  kept  the  road,  the  fences  (a  large  propor 
tion  of  which  are  stone  walls)  covered  their  flanks 
almost  to  the  height  of  their  shoulders.  It  will  also 
be  observed,  that  the  wounded  of  the  militia  did  not 
bear  the  common  proportion  with  the  killed,  and  is 
an  evidence  that  the  British  did  not  choose  to  en 
cumber  themselves  with  prisoners,  either  wounded 
or  not,  as  the  marks  left  at  Watson '  s  Corner,  and  on 
the  height  above  Arlington  meeting-house,  evinced; 
Nor  was  the  dashing  in  of  many  windows,  the  firing 
of  musket-balls  into  the  houses,  in  some  of  which 
there  were  only  women  and  children,  or  the  soldiers 
leaving  their  ranks,  and  going  into  the  houses  to 
plunder,  (in  consequence  of  which  a  number  lost 
their  lives)  marks  of  humanity  or  discipline.*  Their 
whole  force  on  this  enterprise,  including  the  rein 
forcement,  was  from  1500  to  2000  of  their  best 
troops. 

Gen.  WARD  was  now  the  Commander  in  Chief  of 
the  assembled  army,  and  exercised  the  immediate 
command  on  the  Cambridge  side;  while  Gen. 
Thomas  had  the  immediate  command  on  the  Rox- 
bury  side.  A  few  days  after  this,  the  Cambridge 
camp  being  very  numerous,  and  the  Roxbury  camp 

*  Stedman,  in  his  History  of  the  American  War,  vol.  1st,  p.  1 19, 
says,  "  Several  of  Smith's  party  were  scalped  by  the  Americans  "; 
than  which  nothing  can  be  more  untrue.  Both  the  wounded  and 
the  dead  were  treated  with  every  mark  of  humanity  and  decency. 


26  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  I775 

judged  to  be  too  weak,  the  British  having  gone  over 
from  Charlestown  to  Boston,  Gen.  Ward  ordered  our 
General,  with  three  or  four  regiments,  to  march  from 
Cambridge,  and  reinforce  Gen.  Thomas;  and  he 
continued  in  the  Roxbury  camp  until  after  the  arrival 
of  Gen.  WASHINGTON,  in  the  month  of  July. 

In  the  month  of  May,  the  Provincial  Congress 
passed  resolutions  for  raising  twenty-four  regiments, 
to  serve  during  the  remainder  of  the  year.  The 
General  Officers  were  each  to  have  a  regiment.  As 
the  new  regiments  began  to  recruit,  the  militia  went 
home,  and  the  camps  became  very  weak;  that  at 
Roxbury  did  not  exceed  1000  men.  Had  the  British 
sallied  at  that  time,  there  would  have  been  but  few 
to  oppose  them  on  that  side.  However,  the  army 
soon  became  strong,  it  being  reinforced  by  the  arrival 
of  Gen.  Putnam  from  Connecticut,  Gen.  Sullivan 
from  New-Hampshire,  and  Gen.  Greene  from  Rhode- 
Island,  each  with  a  respectable  body  of  troops;  and, 
in  the  month  of  June,  it  was  determined  to  take  pos 
session  of  the  heights  of  Charlestown.  Preparations 
were  made  for  the  purpose;  and  on  the  i6th,  at  night, 
a  strong  detachment  from  the  American  army 
marched  on,  and  broke  ground  on  Breed's  Hill,  in 
front  of  Bunker's  Hill.  The  latter  ought  to  have 
been  taken  possession  of  at  the  same  time,  but  it  was 
some  how  omitted. 

By  the  morning  of  the  i/th,  the  troops  had  a  re 
doubt  and  line  on  its  left  flank  in  good  forwardness, 
when  they  were  discovered  by  the  British.  The 
Lively  man-o-war  first  began  to  cannonade  the  Amer 
icans;  she  was  soon  seconded  by  other  ships,  floating 
batteries,  and  some  heavy  cannon  on  Copp's  Hill,  on 
the  Boston  side,  which  the  Americans  bore  with  a 
good  degree  of  firmness,  and  continued  at  their  work. 
The  British  army  in  Boston  were  greatly  alarmed  at 


juNE,i775]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  27 

this  near  approach,  and  immediately  resolved  on  an 
attack,  before  the  works  could  be  completed.  A 
detachment  was  formed  for  the  purpose,  consisting 
of  ten  companies  of  Grenadiers,  ten  of  Light  Infan 
try,  and  the  5th,  38th,  43d,  and  52d  regiments,  and 
a  corps  of  Artillery  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Howe,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Pigott.  In  the  afternoon  they 
landed  on  Charlestown  Point  without  opposition, 
where  they  were  afterwards  reinforced  by  the  4yth 
regiment,  and  first  battalion  of  marines.  The  reg 
iments  in  Cambridge  camp  were  ordered  down  to 
support  the  detachment  at  Charlestown,  and  to  oc 
cupy  other  posts  thought  to  be  essential,  and  con 
tiguous  thereto.  The  British  began  their  attack 
with  a  severe  fire  of  artillery,  and  advanced  in  a  slow 
and  regular  pace.  The  Americans  who  had  marched 
on  to  the  aid  of  the  detachment,  consisting  of  the 
New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut 
troops,  hastily  formed  a  line  of  defence,  composed 
of  rails  and  other  materials  found  nearest  at  hand. 
This  line  extended  down  towards  the  low  ground  on 
the  left,  and  was  nobly  defended.  The  Americans 
reserved  their  fire  until  the  British  came  very  near, 
when  they  gave  it  to  great  effect;  it  staggered,  and 
even  broke  them,  but  they  rallied,  and  returning  to 
the  charge  again  and  again,  drove  the  Americans 
from  the  lines  on  the  left  of  the  redoubt,  and  had 
nearly  surrounded  it,  when  the  Americans  rushed 
out  of  the  redoubt,  their  ammunition  being  expended, 
and  made  their  retreat,  even  through  a  part  of  the 
British  forces.  About  this  time  Maj.  Gen.  Warren, 
who  had  been  but  a  few  days  before  commissioned, 
and  was  then  on  the  hill  as  a  spectator  only,  was 
killed.  A  number  of  the  Americans  were  killed  in 
retreating  from  Breed's  Hill,  to  Bunker  Hill,  and 
some  in  passing  off  over  the  neck.  Perhaps  there 


28  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  1775 

never  was  a  better  fought  battle  than  this,  all  things 
considered;  and  too  much  praise  can  never  be  be 
stowed  on  the  conduct  of  Col.  William  Prescott,  who, 
notwithstanding  any  thing  that  may  have  been  said, 
was  the  proper  commanding  officer,  at  the  redoubt, 
and  nobly  acted  his  part  as  such,  during  the  whole 
action. 

Just  before  the  action  began,  Gen.  Putnam  came 
to  the  redoubt,  and  told  Col.  Prescott  that  the  en 
trenching  tools  must  be  sent  off,  or  they  would  be 
lost;  the  Colonel  replied,  that  if  he  sent  any  of  the 
men  away  with  the  tools,  not  one  of  them  would 
return;  to  this  the  General  answered,  they  shall 
every  man  return.  A  large  party  was  then  sent  off 
with  the  tools,  and  not  one  of  them  returned;  in  this 
instance  the  Colonel  was  the  best  judge  of  human 
nature. 

In  the  time  of  action,  Col.  Prescott  observing  that 
the  brave  Gen.  Warren  was  near  the  works,  he  im 
mediately  stepped  up  to  him,  and  asked  him  if  he 
had  any  orders  to  give  him.  The  General  replied 
that  he  had  none,  that  he  exercised  no  command 
there.  "The  command"  said  the  General,  "is 
yours" 

While  many  officers  and  soldiers  gallantly  distin 
guished  themselves  in  this  action,  others  were  blamed, 
and  some  were  brought  to  trial  by  court-martial. 
This  was  a  sore  battle  to  the  British,  who  did  not 
forget  it,  during  several  campaigns,  nor  until  a  tide 
of  successes  in  their  favour  had  removed  it  from 
their  minds.  Their  whole  force  on  this  day,  which 
was  in  action,  was  supposed  to  be  about  2,000,  and 
their  whole  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  said  to 
be  upwards  of  1,000,  of  whom  226  were  killed,  and 
of  these,  19  were  commissioned  officers,  including 
one  Lieutenant-Colonel,  two  Majors,  and  seven  Cap- 


juNE,i775]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  29 

tains.  Another  account  stated  their  killed  and 
wounded  to  be  753  privates,  202  Serjeants  and  cor 
porals,  and  92  commissioned  officers;  in  the  whole, 
1047.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners,  about  450.* 

At  the  time  the  British  made  their  attack,  the 
houses  in  Charlestown  were  set  on  fire,  and  burnt 
most  furiously,  which  increased  the  horrors  of  the 
scene.  At  the  same  time  a  furious  cannonade  and 
throwing  of  shells  took  place  at  the  lines  on  Boston 
neck,  against  Roxbury,  with  intent  to  burn  that 
town;  but  although  several  shells  fell  among  the 
houses,  and  some  carcasses  near  them,  and  balls 
went  through  some,  no  other  damage  was  sustained 
than  the  loss  of  one  man  killed  by  a  shot  driving  a 
stone  from  a  wall  against  him. 

On  the  1 5th,  Congress  appointed  GEORGE  WASH 
INGTON  Commander  in  Chief;  and  on  the  I7th  Ar- 
temas  Ward,  first  Major-General — Charles  Lee, 
second  Major-General — Horatio  Gates,  Adjutant- 
General,  with  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General;  and 
on  the  1 9th,  Philip  Schuyler,  third  Major-General, 
and  Israel  Putnam,  fourth  Major-General;  and  on 
the  22d,  Seth  Pomeroy,  first  Brigadier-General— 
Richard  Montgomery,  second  do.  David  Wooster, 
third  do.  William  Heath,  fourth  do.  Joseph  Spen 
cer,  fifth  do.  John  Thomas,  sixth  do.  John  Sullivan, 
seventh  do.  Nathaniel  Greene,  eighth  do.  and  made 
provision  for  raising  an  army  for  the  defence  of  the 
United  Colonies.  Before  these  appointments  were 
made  known  at  camp,  on  the  2ist  of  June,  our 
General  received  from  the  Provincial  Congress,  a 
commission  of  Major-General.  Generals  Ward, 
Thomas,  and  Warren,  had  before  received  their 
commissions,  the  latter  just  before  he  was  slain. 

*See  Appendix  II. 


3o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  i775 

Gen.  Pomeroy  declining  an  acceptance  of  the  com 
mission  from  Congress,  that  Honourable  Body,  on 
the  I Qth  of  July,  resolved  that  Gen.  Thomas  be  ap 
pointed  first  Brigadier-General  in  the  army  of  the 
United  Colonies,  in  the  room  of  Gen.  Pomeroy,  who 
never  acted  under  the  commission  sent  to  him,  and 
that  Gen.  Thomas's  commission  bear  the  same  date 
that  Gen.  Pomeroy's  did;  indeed  this  was  the  rank 
to  which  Gen.  Thomas  was  entitled  by  former  stand 
ing.  Congress  now  also  appointed  Joseph  Trumbull 
to  be  Commissary-General  of  stores  and  provisions, 
for  the  army,  but  left  the  appointment  of  a  Quarter- 
Master-General,  and  some  other  officers,  to  Gen. 
Washington,  who  appointed  the  able  and  very  active 
Col.  Thomas  Mifflin,  Quarter-Master-General,  who 
did  himself  much  honour,  and  his  country  service,  in 
this  important  department. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  the 
Americans  began  to  erect  works  on  Prospect  Hill, 
a  very  commanding  height  above  Charlestown  com 
mon,  and  at  several  other  places.  Several  works 
were  also  constructed  at  Roxbury,  and  the  British 
confined  to  Boston  and  Charlestown,  within  the 
neck. 

The  works  now  going  on,  both  on  the  Cambridge 
and  Roxbury  side,  were  considerable,  and  there  was 
a  great  want  of  engineers.  Col.  Gridley  was  chief 
engineer,  and  was  aided  by  his  son.  But  the 
strength  of  body,  activity  and  genius  of  the  Americans 
capable  of  constructing  with  surprising  dispatch  any 
works  in  which  they  were  guided,  called  for  many 
instructors  in  this  department.  Lieut.  Col.  Rufus 
Putnam,  of  Col.  David  Brewer's  regiment,  was  very 
serviceable  in  this  line,  on  the  Roxbury  side;  as  was 
also  Capt.  Josiah  Waters  of  Boston,  and  Capt.  Bald 
win  of  Brookfield,  (afterwards  Colonel  of  Artificers) 


JULY,  i775]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  31 

and  others  on  the  Cambridge  side,  and  Capt.  Henry 
Knox,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  Boston  Gren 
adier  Company,  (and  who  was  afterwards  at  the 
head  of  the  American  artillery,  to  the  close  of  the 
war)  occasionally  lent  his  aid.  His  military  genius 
and  acquaintance  with  our  General,  led  him  to  be 
importunate  with  Capt.  Knox  to  join  the  army;  nor 
did  he  need  persuasion  to  join  in  the  cause  of  his 
country.  His  removal  out  of  Boston,  and  the  then 
state  of  his  domestic  concerns,  required  some  pre 
vious  arrangement;  as  soon  as  this  was  effected,  he 
joined  the  army. 

24th. — About  noon,  a  heavy  cannonade  and  throw 
ing  of  shells  from  the  lines  on  Boston  neck  into  Rox- 
bury — but  no  damage  done.  Two  American  soldiers 
attempting  to  set  fire  to  Brown's  barn,  on  Boston 
neck,  were  killed  by  the  British.  The  same  evening 
two  heavy  cannon  were  brought  to  the  work  on  the 
hill  above  Roxbury  work-house. 

25th. — At  night,  an  attempt  was  made  to  burn 
the  buildings  on  Boston  neck;  a  firing  took  place  be 
tween  the  parties,  but  the  object  was  not  effected. 

26th. — A  party  of  British,  about  day-break,  ad 
vanced  and  fired  on  the  American  sentinels  near 
the  George  tavern.  The  picket  turned  out — the 
British  retreated. 

July  1st. — A  platform  in  the  work  above  Roxbury 
work-house  being  laid,  a  24  pounder  was  mounted 
and  discharged  twice  at  the  British  lines;  the  second 
shot  grazed  the  parapet  and  struck  on  the  parade, 
and  occasioned  some  confusion:  There  was  more  or 
less  firing  of  cannon  on  both  sides,  daily:  All  the 
works  were  pushed  with  the  utmost  diligence. 

2d. — About  two  o'clock,  P.M.  Gen.  WASHING 
TON,  attended  by  several  officers,  arrived  at  the  camp 
in  Cambridge. 


32  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         QULY,  1775 

On  the  morning  of  this  day,  the  British  cannon 
aded  briskly  from  their  lines  on  Boston  neck  against 
Roxbury,  and  threw  some  shells;  a  carcase  set  fire 
to  the  house  of  Mr.  Williams,  the  tinman,  which  was 
burnt  down;  by  the  activity  of  the  troops,  the  flames 
were  prevented  from  spreading  further,  although 
they  had  to  work  in  the  face  of  a  constant  and  heavy 
fire  from  the  enemy. 

5th. — Gen.  Washington,  accompanied  by  Major- 
Gen.  Lee,  visited  the  Roxbury  camp,  works,  &c. 

8th. — A  little  after  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a 
number  of  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Majors 
Tupper  and  Crane,  attacked  the  British  advance 
guard  at  Brown's  house,  on  Boston  neck,  and  routed 
them,  took  a  halberd,  a  musket,  and  two  bayonets, 
and  burnt  the  two  houses;  the  store  and  barn  escaped 
the  flames;  a  scattering  fire  at  the  outpost  continued 
for  some  time;  a  floating  battery  was  brought  up 
into  the  bay,  and  moored  so  as  to  cover  the  right 
flank  of  the  British  works  on  the  neck. 

nth. — In  the  morning,  a  party  of  Americans  drove 
back  the  British  advance  guard,  and  burnt  Brown's 
store.  The  same  night  a  detachment  went  on  to 
Long  Island,  and  brought  off  the  stock,  &c.  The 
next  day  in  the  forenoon,  Col.  Greaton  with  136  men, 
went  on  to  Long  Island,  and  burnt  the  barns;  the 
flames  communicated  to  the  house,  and  all  were 
consumed.  An  armed  schooner,  and  several  barges 
put  off  after  the  Americans,  and  some  of  the  ships 
of  war  near  the  island  cannonaded  them.  The 
detachment  made  their  way  for  the  shore,  and  nar 
rowly  escaped  being  taken.  One  man  on  the  shore 
who  came  to  the  assistance  of  the  detachment,  was 
killed:  It  was  supposed  that  several  of  the  British 
were  killed  and  wounded.  The  same  day  six  trans- 


JULY,  1775]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  33 

ports,  appearing  to  be  full  of  men,  arrived  in  Boston 
harbour. 

1 3th. — A  heavy  cannonade  from  the  British,  at 
the  American  workmen  —  but  no  damage  done. 
Gen.  Washington  visited  the  camp.  The  men  were 
employed  on  the  works  going  on  upon  the  strong 
rocky  hill,  (Col.  Williams's)  to  the  south-west  of 
those  above  Roxbury  work-house.  This  was  one 
of  the  strongest  works  which  were  erected. 

I4th. — The  British  fired  several  cannon,  and  a. 
Connecticut  soldier  was  killed  in  the  street,  near  the 
George  tavern.  The  shot  entered  his  body,  drove 
it  some  distance,  and  lodged  in  him  in  a  remarkable 
manner. 

1 8th. — Five  transport  ships  arrived  in  Boston  har 
bour.  Fresh  provisions  were  very  scarce  and  dear, 
in  Boston — mutton  and  veal,  2s.  per  pound;  fresh 
beef  and  pork  a  pistareen,  salt  pork  sixpence. 

2Oth. — A  day  of  public  fasting — no  fatigue — all 
still  and  quiet. 

2 1 st. — Major  Vose  returned  from  Nantasket.  The 
detachment  under  his  command,  brought  off  1,000 
bushels  of  barley,  all  the  hay,  &c. — went  to  Light- 
House  Island;  took  away  the  lamps,  oil,  some  gun 
powder,  the  boats,  &c.  and  burnt  the  wooden  parts 
of  the  light-house.  An  armed  schooner  and  several 
boats,  with  men,  engaged  the  detachment;  of  the 
Americans,  two  were  wounded. 

22d. — A  general  order  came  out  for  forming  the 
army  into  divisions  and  brigades. 

25th. — Maj.  Gen.  Ward  removed  from  Cambridge, 
and  took  the  immediate  command  of  the  troops 
at  Roxbury. 

2Qth. — The  British  formed  a  bomb  battery,  at 
Bunker's  Hill,  and  advanced  their  advance  guard. 

3Oth. — In  the  morning,  there  was  a  skirmish  at 


34  -  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1775 

Charlestown  neck,  between  the  riflemen  and  some 
British  troops.  Two  of  the  latter  were  taken  pris 
oners,  and  several  were  killed.  Of  the  riflemen,  one 
was  killed.  The  same  day,  the  British  advanced 
over  the  neck,  and  threw  up  a  slight  work  to  cover 
their  guard. 

3 1 st. — A  little  before  one  o'clock,  A.M.  a  British 
floating-battery  came  up  the  river,  within  300  yards 
of  Sewall's  Point,  and  fired  a  number  of  shot  at  the 
American  works,  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  At  the 
same  time,  the  British,  on  Boston  neck,  sallied 
towards  Roxbury;  drove  in  the  American  sentinels, 
set  fire  to  the  George  tavern,  and  returned  to  their 
works.  The  same  morning,  Major  Tupper,  with 
300  Americans,  went  to  Light-House  Island,  at 
tacked  a  British  guard  of  33  marines,  killed  a  sub 
altern  officer  and  several  soldiers,  took  23  prisoners, 
several  refugees,  and  burnt  all  the  buildings  on  the 
island,  with  the  loss  of  one  American  soldier.  There 
was  a  firing,  during  the  day,  from  the  British,  at 
Charlestown,  at  intervals.  Two  Americans  were 
killed;  an  officer,  and  several  British  soldiers,  were 
supposed  to  have  been  killed.  The  Americans  took 
several  muskets. 

August  2d. — There  was  a  considerable  firing  be 
tween  the  advanced  parties,  and  the  Americans  burnt 
a  barn,  near  Charlestown  neck,  in  which  the  British 
had  some  hay.  A  British  officer  was  wounded,  and 
carried  within  their  lines. 

4th. — A  ship  of  war  came  up  above  the  ferry  at 
Charlestown,  and  there  took  a  station. 

6th. — In  the  afternoon,  a  party  of  the  British,  in 
two  barges,  covered  by  a  floating  battery,  burnt  the 
house  on  the  other  side  of  Penny  Ferry. 

nth. — One  of  the  ships  which  had  been  stationed 
above  the  ferry,  went  down. 


SEPT.  17751          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  35 

I5th. — There  was  a  smart  cannonade  on  the  Rox- 
bury  side.  There  was  more  or  less  firing  every  day; 
but  little  damage  done. 

iyth. — A  shot,  from  the  British  lines  on  Boston 
neck,  struck  among  the  main  guard,  at  Roxbury, 
and  damaged  two  muskets  in  a  very  remarkable  man 
ner;  but  did  no  other  harm.  The  same  day  six  or 
seven  tons  of  powder  arrived  from  the  southward. 

1 8th. — Several  shells  were  thrown  into  Roxbury; 
but  did  no  damage. 

26th. — The  Americans  broke  ground  on  Plowed 
Hill,  in  front  of  Bunker's  Hill,  without  molestation. 

27th. — There  was  a  brisk  cannonade  from  the 
British  on  Bunker's  Hill,  the  ship,  and  floating  bat 
teries,  at  the  Americans  on  Plowed  Hill.  Adjutant 
Mumford,  of  Col.  Varnum's  Rhode-Island  regiment, 
and  a  soldier,  belonging  to  Col.  Hitchcock's  regiment, 
were  killed,  and  a  rifleman  lost  a  leg. 

28th. — In  the  night  the  camp  was  alarmed,  and 
some  of  the  troops  turned  out,  but  nothing  ensued. 
The  fire  continued  against  Plowed  Hill;  one  Amer 
ican  was  killed  and  several  wounded. 

29th,  3Oth,  and  3ist. — The  British  continued  their 
cannonade  and  bombardment  of  Plowed  Hill.  One 
shell  fell  within  the  works;  but  no  damage  was  done. 

September  1st. — The  preceding  night  there  was  an 
excessive  hot  cannonade  and  bombardment  from 
the  British  works,  on  Boston  neck,  against  the  works 
at  Roxbury.  Two  Americans  were  killed,  and 
several  wounded. 

2d. — The  British  threw  up  a  slight  work  on  Boston 
neck,  advanced  of  their  lines,  to  cover  their  guard. 
Cannonading  and  throwing  of  shells,  on  this  day, 
both  against  Roxbury  and  Plowed  Hill.  Two  shells 
fell  into  the  works  on  the  latter,  but  did  no  harm. 

5th. — A   sergeant,  belonging  to  the  64th   British 


36  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEF 

regiment,  and  a  seaman,  were  taken  prisoners  at 
Noddle's  Island.  The  heavy  rains,  about  this  time, 
did  some  damage  to  the  American  works.  Prepara 
tions  were  made  for  sending  a  detachment  to  Canada. 

6th. — The  Americans  advanced  some  works  to 
wards  Boston  neck,  without  molestation. 

Qth. — Two  riflemen  deserted  to  the  British.  A 
number  of  British  soldiers,  at  different  times,  had 
come  over  to  the  Americans. 

loth. — A  strong  work,  at  Lamb's  Dam,  in  Rox- 
bury,  was  completed,  and  mounted  with  four  18 
pounders.  The  same  day,  a  shot  from  the  British 
destroyed  three  muskets  at  Roxbury. 

nth. — A  boat,  with  six  or  seven  British  soldiers, 
was  driven  on  shore  at  Dorchester.  They  were  taken 
prisoners  and  sent  in. 

I3th. — A  detachment,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Arnold,  marched  for  Canada.  They  were  to  take 
a  north-eastern  route,  up  Kennebec  River,  and  down 
the  river  Chaudiere. 

Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery  were  making 
their  way  into  Canada,  with  a  considerable  force,  by 
way  of  the  lakes.  They  had  advanced  as  far  as 
Fort  St.  John's;  but,  finding  that  this  fort  would 
make  considerable  resistance,  they  fell  back.  Schuy 
ler  returned  to  Albany,  to  hold  a  treaty  with  the 
Indians;  and  Montgomery  waited  for  the  arrival  of 
his  artillery,  that  he  might  reduce  the  forts. 

Some  time  before  this,  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  of  the 
New-Hampshire  Grants,  (since  Vermont)  with  a 
number  of  volunteers,  took  possession  of  Ticonde- 
roga.  The  artillery  secured  by  Allen  were  an  ac 
quisition  to  the  Americans;  and  Col.  Knox  went  up 
the  next  winter,  and  selected  and  brought  forward  a 
number  of  pieces  to  the  camp  before  Boston.  The 
garrison  of  this  place,  which  was  commanded  by  a 


SEPT.  17751         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  37 

captain,  apprehending  no  danger,  were  negligent, 
and  remiss  in  duty.  Allen  was  acquainted  at  the 
place;  and  now,  as  is  said,  requested  a  part  of  the 
garrison  to  aid  him,  in  transporting  some  goods. 
Nearly  half  of  the  garrison  were  granted  him.  These 
were  plentifully  served  with  liquor;  and,  in  the  night, 
Allen  entered  the  fort,  and  demanded  a  delivery  of 
it.  The  commandant  asking  by  what  authority  he 
required  him  to  surrender,  Allen  replied— "I  de 
mand  it  in  the  name  of  the  great  Jehovah  and  the 
Continental  Congress."  He  also  took  possession  of 
Crown  Point;  and,  before  Montgomery  was  ready  to 
proceed  against  the  Forts  Chambly  and  St.  John's, 
Allen  determined  to  surprise  Montreal.  For  this 
purpose,  he  marched  across,  with  a  body  of  militia; 
but  he  was  met,  before  he  got  to  the  town,  by  what 
force  the  British  could  collect  there,  who  attacked 
and  defeated  Allen,  taking  him  and  a  number  of  his 
party  prisoners.  He  was  put  in  irons,  and  sent  in 
a  man-of-war  to  England.  His  narrative  was  long 
since  published.* 

1 8th. — Several  seamen  deserted  from  the  British 
—they  brought  off  three  boats.  The  same  day,  a 
cannon  shot,  from  the  lines  on  Boston  neck,  went 
through  the  guard-house  at  Roxbury.  A  splinter 
wounded  the  captain  of  the  guard. 

2 1  st. — The  cannonade,  which  continued  more  or 
less  every  day,  was  more  brisk  at  some  workmen, 
between  Plowed  Hill  and  Prospect  Hill.  Two 
Americans  were  wounded. 

23d. — A  brisk  cannonade  and  bombardment  on 
the  works  at  Roxbury — 108  cannon  and  mortars 
were  discharged,  but  no  damage  done. 

29th. — 500,000  dollars,  in  Continental  bills,  were 

*  See  Appendix  III. 


38  -  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [Nov.i77S 

brought  to  Head-Quarters,  from  Philadelphia.  Sev 
eral  deserters  from  the  British,  about  this  time. 

October  3d  and  4th. — General  Officers  in  council, 
on  the  supposed  treachery  of  Dr.  Church,  who  was 
taken  into  close  custody,  and  afterward  kept  in 
confinement. 

6th. — A  brisk  cannonade  at  Roxbury.  An  Amer 
ican  lost  an  arm.  An  18  pound  shot  went  through 
the  gate-way,  at  the  British  lines,  as  their  guard  was 
marching  out. 

8th. — The  British  did  some  mischief  at  Bristol,  in 
Rhode  Island.  The  report  of  the  cannon  were 
heard  at  camp. 

lyth. —  Two  American  floating-batteries  were 
rowed  down  the  river;  several  shot  were  discharged 
towards  the  British.  A  9  pounder  burst,  and  5  or 
6  men  were  wounded;  one  of  whom  died  soon  after. 

22d. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  some  Brit 
ish  ships  had  entered  the  harbour  of  Casco  Bay,  and 
burnt  a  part  of  the  town  of  Falmouth. 

November  4th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that 
the  British  fort  at  Chambly,  on  the  lake,  had  surren 
dered  to  the  Americans.  The  artillery  and  military 
stores  in  this  fort  were  truly  an  acquisition.  The 
privateers  fitted  out  by  the  Americans  about  this 
time  began  to  send  in  a  few  prizes. 

Qth. — At  the  top  of  high  water,  the  tide  being 
very  full,  some  British  light  infantry,  in  boats,  came 
over  from  Boston,  and  landed  on  Leechmore's  Point. 
The  sentinels  on  the  point  came  off;  the  alarm  was 
given;  and  several  hundred  Americans  forded  over 
the  causeway,  in  the  face  of  the  British,  the  water 
at  least  two  feet  deep.  The  British,  seeing  the  spirit 
of  the  Americans,  although  they  were  very  advanta 
geously  posted,  made  a  precipitate  retreat  to  their 
boats.  Three  or  four  Americans  were  wounded,  one 


NOV.  17751          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  39 

mortally.  The  British  ship  and  floating-batteries 
kept  up  a  brisk  fire;  but  to  little  purpose. 

nth. — The  King  of  England's  Proclamation  for 
suppressing  rebellion  (as  he  called  it)  made  its 
appearance.  It  was  taken  on  board  a  vessel  from  Ire 
land,  which  was  captured  by  an  American  cruiser. 
It  was  reported  that  the  British  had  received  a 
reinforcement. 

I4th. — Intelligence  was  received  of  the  capitula 
tion  of  the  British  garrison  of  Fort  St.  John's  on  the 
lake.  Montgomery  was  now  proceeding  rapidly  into 
Canada.  His  troops  took  possession  of  Montreal 
on  the  I3th. 

1 6th. — Several  deserters  came  in,  and  two  soldiers 
were  taken  prisoners. 

22d. — A  strong  detachment  from  the  army,  un 
der  the  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Putnam,  broke 
ground  on  Cobble  Hill  without  annoyance.  The 
fatigue  men  worked  until  near  break  of  day,  when 
the  whole  came  off. 

23d. — At  night,  our  General,  with  a  detachment 
of  similar  strength  to  that  of  the  preceding  night, 
were  ordered  to  Cobble  Hill,  to  complete  the  works. 
A  sally  from  the  British  was  expected,  and  Col. 
Bridge  with  his  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  foot  of 
the  hill,  and  to  patrol  towards  the  bay  and  neck 
constantly  during  the  night.  The  picket  at  Pros 
pect  Hill  was  also  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  to  suc 
cour  the  troops  at  the  works,  if  they  were  attacked; 
and  Col.  Bond's  regiment  also  lay  on  their  arms; 
but  the  British  did  not  move.  Two  of  the  British 
sentinels  came  off  in  the  night  to  the  detachment; 
the  whole  came  off  at  day-break;  and  other  troops 
were  ordered  on  the  works,  in  the  day  time,  now  in 
good  forwardness  and  defensible. 

25th. — An  additional  ship  came  up  and  took  sta- 


40   .  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  i775 

tion  at  the  ferry.  Upon  a  few  shot  being  fired,  by 
the  American  advance  sentinels,  the  British  drums 
on  Bunker's  Hill  beat  to  arms,  which  were  followed 
by  the  Americans.  At  this  time  the  British  were 
erecting  several  bomb-batteries  at  Boston  to  annoy 
the  Americans.  Col.  Enos,  who  was  of  Col.  Ar 
nold's  detachment,  from  the  army  destined  to  cross 
the  woods  by  a  north-eastern  route  into  Canada, 
having  proceeded  a  very  considerable  distance,  Ar 
nold's  sick  returning  back,  and  his  own  men  growing 
sickly,  returned  with  his  part  of  the  detachment. 
This  lessened  the  expectation  of  success  to  the  Amer 
ican  army  in  Canada. 

3Oth. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Cape  Ann, 
that  a  vessel  from  England  laden  with  warlike  stores, 
had  been  taken  and  brought  into  that  place.  There 
was  on  board  one  13  inch  brass  mortar,  2,000  stand 
of  arms,  100,000  flints,  32  tons  of  leaden  ball,  &c. 
&c.  A  fortunate  capture  for  the  Americans! 

December  2d. — The  brass  13  inch  mortar,  and 
sundry  military  stores,  taken  in  the  ordnance  prize, 
were  brought  to  camp. 

5th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Col.  Arnold 
had  made  his  way  safely  into  Canada.* 

1 2th. — A  causeway  was  begun  over  the  marsh  to 
Leechmore's  Point.  Two  18  pounders  were  brought 
from  Roxbury,  and  mounted  at  Cobble  Hill. 

1 3th. — An  express  arrived  from  Marblehead,  with 
advice  that  three  British  men-of-war  were  standing 
for  that  harbour.  Col.  Glover's  regiment,  with 
Capt.  Forster's  company  of  artillery,  and  a  company 
of  riflemen,  were  ordered  to  march  to  Marblehead 
with  all  expedition. 

I4th,   1 5th,  and   i6th. — Approaches  were  carried 

*  See  Appendix  IV. 


DEC.  1775]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  41 

briskly  on  to  Leechmore's  Point,  and  nearly  to  the 
top  of  the  hill. 

iyth. — The  morning  was  foggy.  A  detachment 
of  300  men,  under  the  direction  of  Gen.  Putnam, 
broke  ground  on  the  top  of  the  hill  on  Leechmore's 
Point,  at  a  distance  of  not  more  than  half  a  mile  from 
the  ship.  Between  twelve  and  one  o'clock,  the  fog 
cleared  away,  and  the  ship  began  to  cannonade  the 
Americans,  with  round  and  grape  shot,  and  some 
shells  were  thrown  from  West  Boston.  One  soldier 
was  wounded,  and  the  party  driven  from  the  works. 
Several  cannon  were  fired  from  Cobble  Hill,  at  the 
ship;  one  shot  was  supposed  to  have  struck  her. 

1 8th. — Our  General  was  ordered,  with  300  men, 
to  prosecute  the  work  begun  on  Leechmore's  Point. 
It  was  expected  that  this  would  have  been  a  bloody 
day,  and  Dr.  Downer,  one  of  the  surgeons,  was  or 
dered  down  with  the  detachment,  with  his  instru 
ments,  &c.  to  assist  the  wounded.  Fortunately  for 
the  detachment,  Capt.  Smith  of  the  artillery,  had, 
in  the  morning,  discharged  an  18  pounder  from 
Cobble  Hill  at  the  ship,  which  induced  her  to  weigh 
anchor,  and  run  below  the  ferry-way. 

When  our  General  arrived  nearly  at  the  summit 
of  the  hill,  he  halted  the  detachment,  and  went  for 
ward  himself,  and  took  a  view  of  the  state  of  the 
works,  which  in  some  places  were  but  just  begun; 
in  others  were  carried  half  way  up.  He  then  or 
dered  the  front  company  to  move  up  the  hill,  ground 
their  arms,  and  move  into  a  part  of  the  works  as 
signed  to  them — and  so  on  through  the  whole,  to 
prevent  confusion  in  entering  the  works,  and  thereby 
increasing  an  object  to  the  British  gunners.  As  soon 
as  the  men  were  placed  in  the  wrorks,  two  sentinels 
w^ere  posted  to  watch  the  British  batteries,  with  or 
ders,  on  discovering  the  discharge  of  cannon,  to  call 


42  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1775 

out,  a  shot !  The  men  in  the  works  were  ordered  to 
be  steady;  on  the  signal  of  a  shot,  to  settle  down  and 
remain  so,  until  the  shot  had  struck;  or  if  a  shell, 
until  it  had  burst,  then  to  rise  and  prosecute  the 
work — no  man  to  step  out  of  his  place.  In  a  very 
short  time,  a  shot  was  cried  by  the  sentinels.  It 
proved  to  be  a  shell,  which  fell  and  burst  within  a 
few  feet  of  a  part  of  the  workmen,  throwing  the  dirt 
among  them,  and  a  piece  of  the  shell  hitting  a  sol 
dier's  hat.  On  the  second  discharge,  the  men  fell 
as  before;  when,  on  rising,  two  or  three  heavy  can 
non-shot  struck  in  the  face  of  the  work,  the  British 
having  discharged  the  cannon  in  such  time  after  the 
mortar,  as  that  the  shot  might  take  effect  just  as  the 
men  arose  after  the  bursting  of  the  shell:  but  in  this 
they  did  not  succeed;  the  men  being  ordered  to  keep 
down  until  both  had  struck.  Finding  this  decep 
tion  to  fail,  a  shell  was  broke  in  the  air,  directly  over 
the  party,  at  60  or  70  feet  high.  This  also  had  as 
little  effect  upon  the  Americans.  The  fire  continued 
until  the  afternoon,  when  it  ceased :  and  it  was  after 
wards  learnt  that  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
British  artillery,  who  stood  and  observed  the  effect 
of  their  fire  upon  the  Americans,  went  to  their  Gen 
eral,  and  informed  him,  that  from  his  own  observa 
tion,  their  fire  had  no  other  effect  than  to  inure  the 
Americans  to  danger,  and  advised  its  discontinuance. 
In  the  afternoon,  Gen.  Washington  and  several 
other  General  Officers  came  on  to  the  Point.  To 
wards  night,  the  detachment  were  ordered  to  move 
out  of  the  works  by  companies,  as  they  went  in; 
take  up  their  arms,  move  under  the  hill,  and  form 
the  detachment;  from  whence  it  was  marched  to 
Cambridge,  attended  by  their  surgeon,  who  had  been 
in  waiting  all  the  day,  but  had  no  occasion  to  draw 


JAN.  i776]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  43 

his  instruments  from  their  case,  or  a  bandage  or 
dressing  from  his  box. 

I Qth. — The  prosecution  of  the  works  on  Leech- 
more's  Point  was  continued.  The  British  cannon 
aded  and  bombarded  the  new  detachment;  but  to 
no  effect.  The  same  took  place  on  the  2Oth.  On 
this  day,  a  13  inch  shell  was  thrown  almost  up  to 
No.  2.  It  was  probably  thrown,  either  at  the  works 
before  mentioned,  or  at  the  colleges.  It  did  not 
burst.  Nearly  five  pounds  of  powder  was  taken  out 
of  the  shell. 

22d. — The  British  threw  one  shell,  and  fired  two 
shot,  from  Bunker's  Hill  in  Charlestown,  at  the 
works  on  Leechmore's  Point.  The  cannonade,  &c. 
continued,  on  the  23d  and  24th;  but  to  no  effect. 

28th. — A  strong  detachment  from  Winter  Hill 
marched  in  the  night  to  surprise  the  British  out 
posts  in  Charlestown.  They  passed  on  the  south 
side  of  Cobble  Hill,  and  were  to  cross  the  cove  on 
the  ice.  When  they  came  to  the  channel,  it  was 
found  to  be  open.  A  soldier  slipping  down  on  the 
ice,  his  piece  accidentally  went  off,  which  caused  an 
alarm,  and  the  detachment  returned. 

3 1 st. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  there  had 
been  an  action  at  Norfolk  in  Virginia,  between 
Dunmore's  army  and  the  Virginians,  to  the  advan 
tage  of  the  latter.  Fifty  of  the  regular  troops  were 
said  to  have  been  killed  and  wounded;  among  the 
former  was  Capt.  Fordyce,  of  the  I4th  British  regi 
ment,  an  active  and  good  officer.  The  Virginians 
had  not  a  man  killed.  Dunmore's  force  was  sup 
posed  to  be  about  500. 

^January  1st,  1776,  presented  a  great  change  in 
the  American  army.  The  officers  and  men  of  the 
new  regiments  were  joining  their  respective  corps; 
those  of  the  old  regiments  were  going  home  by  hun- 


44  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [jAN.i776 

dreds  and  by  thousands.  The  best  arms,  such  as 
were  fit  for  service,  were  detained  from  the  soldiers 
who  were  going  home;  they  were  to  be  paid  for; 
but  it  created  much  uneasiness.  Such  a  change,  in 
the  very  teeth  of  an  enemy,  is  a  most  delicate  ma 
noeuvre;  but  the  British  did  not  attempt  to  take  any 
advantage  of  it. 

8th. — It  having  been  thought  expedient  to  deprive 
the  British  of  the  houses  in  Charlestown,  below 
Bunker's  Hill,  a  detachment  was  ordered  for  the 
purpose.  One  hundred  men  from  the  First  Brigade, 
and  a  like  number  from  Frye's  Brigade,  with  Cap 
tains  Williams,  Gould  and  Wyman;  Lieutenants 
Foster,  Shaw,  Patterson  and  Trafton,  and  Ensign 
Cheney,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Major 
Knowlton,  aided  by  Brigade-Majors  Henly  and  Ca 
rey.  The  detachment  marched  between  8  and  9 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  the  object  was  effected 
without  the  loss  of  a  man.  Several  British  soldiers 
were  taken  prisoners.  The  garrison  of  Bunker  Hill 
works  commenced  a  brisk  fire  down  the  hill  towards 
the  houses;  but  no  damage  was  sustained.  There 
had  been  a  number  of  deserters  from  the  British, 
since  those  heretofore  mentioned. 

1 7th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  on  the  3 1st 
of  December,  at  three  o'clock,  A.  M.  Gen.  Mont 
gomery  made  an  attempt  to  carry  Quebec  by  assault. 
Col.  Arnold  had  entered  the  lower  city,  and  Gen. 
Montgomery  was  ascending  the  barriers  at  the  other 
end  when  he  was  killed  by  a  musket-ball,  as  was 
his  Aide-de-camp.  A  number  of  those  who  had  en 
tered  the  lower  city  were  killed  or  taken  prisoners, 
and  the  enterprise  defeated.  No  account  of  the 
American  loss  was  at  this  time  reported. 

Great  address  and  gallantry  were  exhibited  on  this 
expedition.  The  Americans  ascending  Kennebec 


JAN.  1776]  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  45 

river,  crossing  the  height  of  land,  and  descending 
into  Canada,  was  an  arduous  undertaking.  Mont 
gomery  was  fired  with  a  noble  ardor.  He  had  been 
successful  hitherto,  and  the  reduction  of  the  city  of 
Quebec  would  have  been  the  finishing  stroke.  With 
this  he  hoped  to  close  the  year.  To  reduce  the  city 
by  siege,  would  require  a  long  time,  (if  not  relieved) 
nor  had  he  a  train  of  artillery  for  the  purpose. 
With  this  day  would  expire  the  time  of  service  of 
many  of  his  troops.  He  therefore  resolved  to  attempt 
to  carry  the  place  by  assault.  Two  real  attacks  were 
to  be  made  on  the  lower  city,  at  the  opposite  ends; 
one  guided  by  himself,  the  other  by  Arnold;  and 
there  were  to  be  two  false  attacks  made  on  the  upper 
city,  to  divide  and  distract  the  enemy.  Every  thing 
was  well  arranged.  Arnold  forced  his  way  in,  was 
wounded,  and  carried  away — his  party  fighting  on. 
Montgomery  passed  along  a  very  narrow  defile,  next 
to  the  bank,  to  a  barrier  obstinately  defended;  and 
here  he  fell — here  was  an  end  to  his  attack.  The 
other  party  fought  on;  but  these  being  now  the  only 
enemy  to  oppose,  the  British  turned  their  whole  force 
to  that  quarter.  They  could  not  well  retreat:  the 
whole  were  killed,  wounded,  or  taken  prisoners. 
There  was  here  barely  a  prospect  of  success,  unless 
fortune  should  prove  more  favourable  to  merit  than 
she  is  wont  to  do.  Nothing  more  could  be  done  on 
the  score  of  gallantry.  How  far  the  attempt  was  a 
prudent  one,  is  another  question.  It  is  a  military 
maxim,  that  "fortune  may  fail  us,  but  a  prudent 
conduct  never  will."  At  the  same  time,  some  of 
the  most  brilliant  victories  have  been  obtained  by  a 
daring  stroke. 

1 8th. — Col.  Knox,  of  the  artillery,  came  to  camp. 
He  brought  from  Ticonderoga  a  fine  train  of  artil 
lery,  which  had  been  taken  from  the  British,  both 


46  .  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [FEB.i776 

cannon  and  mortars,  and  which  were  ordered  to  be 
stopped  at  Framingham. 

22d. — Several  Indians  came  to  camp  from  the 
westward.  Intelligence  was  received  from  Canada, 
that  the  blockade  of  Quebec  was  continued,  notwith 
standing  the  rebuff  on  the  morning  of  the  3 1st  of 
December. 

February  1st. — A  number  of,  British  soldiers  from 
Bunker's  Hill,  went  to  pulling  down  the  tide-mill  at 
Charlestown.  A  cannon  was  discharged  at  them 
from  Cobble  Hill,  which  dispersed  them  for  a  short 
time,  but  they  returned  again. 

5th. — Three  cows  were  feeding  near  the  British 
out-post  at  Charlestown  neck.  A  party  of  the  British 
came  out,  got  above  them,  drove  them  to  the  neck, 
and  killed  them.  This  brought  on  a  brisk  firing  at 
the  out-posts,  and  some  cannon  were  discharged  from 
Bunker's  Hill.  It  was  supposed  that  the  British  had 
one  man  killed,  and  one  wounded. 

8th. — At  night,  a  party  of  Americans,  from  Win 
ter  Hill,  went  down  and  burnt  the  old  tide-mill  in 
Charlestown. 

1 4th. — In  the  morning,  a  party  of  British  troops 
from  the  Castle,  and  another  from  Boston,  crossed 
over  to  Dorchester  neck,  with  intent  to  surprise  the 
American  guard,  which  they  came  well  nigh  effect 
ing,  the  guard  but  just  escaping  them.  There  was 
but  one  musket  fired,  on  the  side  of  the  Americans. 
An  old  inhabitant  and  his  son  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  British  burnt  the  houses  on  the  point,  and  then 
returned. 

I5th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Canada 
that  some  of  the  British  garrison  of  Quebec,  having 
made  a  sally  in  order  to  get  fuel,  they  were  driven 
back  with  the  loss  of  twelve  killed  and  fifteen 
wounded. 


FEB.i776]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  47 

The  heights  round  Boston,  except  those  at  Dorches 
ter,  having  been  taken  possession  of,  it  was  now  de 
termined  that  these  also  should  be  occupied;  and 
great  previous  preparation  was  made  for  the  purpose. 
It  was  imagined  that  so  near  an  approach  to  the 
British  would  induce  them  to  make  a  sally,  to  dis 
lodge  the  Americans.  It  was  therefore  deliberated 
in  Council,  that,  in  case  the  British  should  come 
forth,  a  strong  detachment  of  Americans  from  the 
Cambridge  camp,  in  boats,  should  proceed  down  the 
river,  and  land  at  the  bottom  of  the  common  in 
Boston.  To  this  our  General  made  a  most  pointed 
opposition,  alleging,  that  it  would  most  assuredly 
produce  only  defeat  and  disgrace  to  the  American 
army;  that  the  British  General  must  be  supposed  to 
be  a  master  of  his  profession;  that  as  such,  he  would 
first  provide  for  the  defence  of  the  town,  in  every 
part,  which  was  the  great  deposit  of  all  his  stores; 
that  when  this  was  done,  if  his  troops  would  afford 
a  redundancy,  sufficient  for  a  sally,  he  might  attempt 
it;  but  it  was  to  be  remembered  that,  at  any  rate, 
the  town  would  be  defended;  that  it  was  impossible 
for  troops,  armed  and  disciplined  as  the  Americans 
then  were,  to  be  pushed  down  in  boats,  at  least  one 
mile  and  a  half,  open  to  the  fire  of  all  the  British 
batteries  on  the  west  side  of  the  town,  and  to  their 
whole  park  of  artillery,  which  might  be  drawn  to 
the  bottom  of  the  common  long  before  the  Ameri 
cans  could  reach  it,  and  be  flanked  also  by  the  works 
on  the  neck;  that  under  such  a  tremendous  fire,  the 
troops  could  not  effect  a  landing;  and  that  he  would 
never  give  his  vote  for  it.  It  was,  however,  carried, 
that  the  attempt  should  be  made. 

1 8th. — It  being  Lord's  day,  after  public  service, 
a  proclamation  from  the  General  Assembly  of  Mass- 


48  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  1776 

achusetts,  for  the  reformation  of  manners,  was  read 
to  the  first  division  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leonard. 

2 1  st. — A  picket  of  60  men  was  ordered  to  Leech- 
more's  Point;  and  Col.  Sargent's  regiment  at  In- 
man's  farm  was  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  to  sup 
port  them,  in  case  they  should  be  attacked  by  the 
British,  as  some  grounds  for  suspecting  it  had  been 
discovered. 

23d. — Ensign  Lyman,  of  Huntington's  regiment, 
with  a  small  party,  took  a  Corporal  and  two  men, 
who  were  sentinels  at  Brown's  chimneys,  on  Boston 
neck,  without  firing  a  gun.  These  prisoners  re 
ported  that  the  heavy  cannon  were  removed  from 
Bunker's  Hill  and  put  on  board  ship. 

25th. — Some  heavy  cannon  were  mounted  on  the 
works  at  Leechmore's  Point.  The  same  day  the 
British  were  busily  employed  in  erecting  a  work  a 
little  to  the  north  of  the  powder  magazine  in  Boston. 

29th. — The  British  threw  some  shells  to  Leech 
more's  Point. 

March  ist. — Several  mortars  were  sent  over  to 
Roxbury,  and  great  preparations  made  to  annoy  the 
enemy.  Bundles  of  screwed  hay  were  brought  from 
Chelsea  to  be  used  in  the  works. 

2d. — At  night  a  cannonade  and  bombardment 
began  at  the  American  works  on  Cobble  Hill  and 
Leechmore's  Point  on  the  Cambridge  side,  and  at 
Lamb's  Dam  on  the  Roxbury  side,  against  the  Brit 
ish  works;  and  a  number  of  shells  were  thrown  into 
Boston.  The  British  returned  the  fire,  and  threw 
out  a  number  of  shells,  one  of  which,  of  13  inches, 
reached  Prospect  Hill.  One  of  the  American  mor 
tars  of  13  inches,  and  two  of  10  inches,  were  burst. 
They  were  not  properly  bedded,  as  the  ground  was 
hard  frozen. 


MARCH,  1776]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  49 


.  —  There  was  an  almost  incessant  roar  of  can 
non  and  mortars  during  the  night,  on  both  sides. 

The  Americans  took  possession  of  Dorchester 
heights,  and  nearly  completed  their  works  on  both 
the  hills  by  morning.  Perhaps  there  never  was  so 
much  work  done  in  so  short  a  space  of  time.  The 
adjoining  orchards  were  cut  down  to  make  the  ab- 
attis;  and  a  very  curious  and  novel  mode  of  defence 
was  added  to  these  works.  The  hills  on  which  they 
were  erected  were  steep,  and  clear  of  trees  and 
bushes.  Rows  of  barrels  filled  with  earth  were 
placed  round  the  works.  They  presented  only  the 
appearance  of  strengthening  the  works;  but  the  real 
design  was,  in  case  the  enemy  made  an  attack,  to  have 
rolled  them  down  the  hill.  They  would  have  de 
scended  with  such  increasing  velocity,  as  must  have 
thrown  the  assailants  into  the  utmost  confusion,  and 
have  killed  and  wounded  great  numbers.  This  pro 
ject  was  suggested  by  Mr.  William  Davis,  merchant, 
of  Boston,  to  our  General,  who  immediately  commu 
nicated  it  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  who  highly 
approved  of  it,  as  did  all  the  other  officers:  But  the 
credit  of  it  is  justly  due  to  Mr.  Davis,  and  to  him 
the  writer  gives  it.  As  the  regiments  at  Roxbury 
were  parading,  in  the  afternoon  of  this  day,  to  march 
to  Dorchester,  a  shot,  from  the  British  lines  on  Bos 
ton  neck,  carried  away  a  thigh  of  Lieut.  John  Mayo, 
of  Learned's  regiment:  he  soon  after  died.  One 
man  was  killed  by  a  shell  at  Leechmore's  Point,  in 
the  night. 

5th.  —  The  British,  it  was  expected,  would  attempt 
to  dislodge  the  Americans  from  Dorchester  heights. 
Signals  had  been  prepared  at  Roxbury  meeting 
house  to  mark  the  moment.  The  detachment  at 
Cambridge  (designed  to  push  into  Boston  in  the 
boats)  was  paraded,  not  far  from  No.  2,  where  it  re- 


5o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  1776 

mained  a  good  part  of  the  day.  But  kind  Heaven, 
which  more  than  once  saved  the  Americans  when 
they  would  have  destroyed  themselves,  did  not  allow 
the  signals  to  be  made.  About  3500  of  the  British 
troops,  it  was  said,  had  been  sent  down  to  the  Castle, 
with  the  intent  to  have  made  an  attack  on  the  Ameri 
cans;  but,  about  midnight,  the  wind  blew  almost  a 
hurricane  from  the  south;  many  windows  were  forced 
in,  sheds  and  fences  blown  down,  and  some  vessels 
drove  on  shore;  and  no  attempt  was  made  on  the 
works.  Some  were  ready  to  blame  our  General,  for 
the  sentiments  which  he  expressed  against  the  going 
into  Boston,  as  was  proposed,  in  the  boats,  and  at 
tributed  it  to  the  want  of  firmness:  But  the  opinion 
of  every  military  man,  since  that  time,  whether 
American,  French,  or  British,  who  have  taken  a  view 
of  the  land  and  water  which  was  to  have  been  the 
scene  of  action,  with  the  concomitant  circumstances, 
(as  far  as  we  have  heard)  hath  been  coincident;  and 
those  who  may  in  future  review  them,  will  for  them 
selves  determine,  whether  the  independence  of  spirit 
and  sentiments  of  our  General,  expressed  on  the  oc 
casion,  merited  applause  or  censure:  For  himself,  he 
has  been  frequently  heard  to  say  that  he  gloried  in 
them. 

On  the  night  of  the  yth,  Capt.  Erving  made  his 
escape  out  of  Boston.  He  reported,  that  the  British 
were  preparing  to  leave  the  town;  that  they  were 
putting  their  cannon,  mortars,  shot,  shells,  &c.  on 
board  the  store-ships;  that  some  of  the  shot  and 
shells  sent  into  the  town  by  the  Americans  had  been 
well  directed. 

gth. — The  Americans  at  Dorchester  neck  opened 
a  battery  to  the  north-east  of  Bird's  Hill,  near  the 
water,  with  the  intent  to  annoy  the  British  shipping. 
This  night  a  strong  detachment  went  down  to  open 


MARCH,  i776j       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  51 

a  work  on  Nook  Hill  in  Dorchester,  still  nearer  to 
Boston.  Some  of  the  men  imprudently  kindled  a 
fire  behind  the  hill  previous  to  the  hour  for  breaking 
of  ground.  The  enemy  discovered  the  light  of  the 
fire;  and  there  was,  during  the  evening  and  night,  a 
continual  roar  of  cannon  and  mortars,  from  the 
Castle  and  lines  on  Boston  neck,  south  end  of  that 
town;  as  well  as  from  the  Americans  at  Roxbury, 
Cobble  Hill,  and  Leechmore's  Point,  at  Cambridge. 
The  second  shot  from  the  British  at  the  old  fortifica 
tion,  south  end  of  the  town  of  Boston,  killed  4  Amer 
icans,  who  were  standing  around  the  fire  before  men 
tioned,  at  Nook  Hill,  one  of  whom  was  Dr.  Dow,  of 
Connecticut.  Another  man  was  killed  at  the  point 
next  to  the  Castle.  This  suspended  the  work  for 
the  night,  during  which  more  than  800  shot  were 
fired. 

loth. — The  cannonade  continued.  The  British 
were  putting  their  cannon,  military  stores,  and  bag 
gage,  on  board  the  store-ships  and  transports.  This 
evening  two  pieces  of  cannon,  and  two  small  mor 
tars,  were  carried  on  to  Noddle's  Island  to  disturb 
the  British  shipping;  but  the  enemy  being  quiet  at 
their  different  works,  they  were  not  molested  from 
that  quarter. 

nth. — In  the  evening  there  was  a  brisk  cannonade 
from  the  British,  at  the  south  end  of  Boston,  and  the 
lines  on  the  neck. 

1 2th. — A  Mr.  Woodward  came  out  of  Boston. 
He  reported  that  the  British  were  making  the  greatest 
preparations  to  leave  the  town;  that  a  number  of 
gun-carriages,  ammunition-wagons,  &c.  had  been 
broken  to  pieces,  and  thrown  off  the  wharves;  that 
some  furniture  had  been  destroyed,  and  that  many 
dry  goods  had  been  seized,  &c. 

I3th. — Six  regiments  of  the  American  army,  viz. 


52.  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  1776 

Greaton's,  Stark's,  Patterson's,  Bond's,  Webb's,  and 
the  rifle  regiment,  were  put  under  orders  to  march 
for  New  York;  of  these  our  General  was  to  take  the 
command.  A  detachment  of  artillery  was  also  or 
dered  to  march  with  this  brigade. 

On  the  evening  of  the  I5th,  a  fire  broke  out  in 
Patterson's  barracks  at  Cambridge,  which  consumed 
six  rooms,  destroyed  some  musket  cartridges,  &c. 
This  day  the  rifle  regiment  commenced  their  march 
for  New  York. 

iyth. — In  the  morning  the  British  evacuated  Bos 
ton,  their  rear  guard  with  some  marks  of  precipita 
tion.  A  number  of  cannon  were  left  spiked  and 
two  large  marine  mortars,  which  they  in  vain  at 
tempted  to  burst.  The  garrison  at  Bunker's  Hill 
practised  some  deception  to  cover  their  retreat.  They 
fixed  some  images,  representing  men,  in  the  places  of 
their  sentinels,  with  muskets  placed  on  their  shoul 
ders,  &c.  Their  immovable  position  led  to  the 
discovery  of  the  deception,  and  a  detachment  of  the 
Americans  marched  in  and  took  possession.  The 
troops  on  the  Roxbury  side  moved  over  the  neck 
and  took  possession  of  Boston,  as  did  others  from 
Cambridge,  in  boats.  On  the  Americans  entering 
the  town,  the  inhabitants  discovered  joy  inexpres 
sible.  The  town  had  been  much  injured  in  its  build 
ings,  and  some  individuals  had  been  plundered. 
Some  British  stores  were  left.  The  British  army 
went  on  board  their  transports  below  the  Castle. 
A  number  of  American  adherents  to  them,  and  the 
British  cause,  went  away  with  the  army. 

1 8th. --The  brigade  destined  for  New  York, 
marched  from  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 

iQth. — The  British  blew  up  Castle  William,  and 
burnt  some  of  the  barracks. 

2Oth. — The  British  cannonaded,  from  the  Castle, 


APRIL,  1776]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  53 

the  Americans  on  Dorchester  neck.  The  same 
morning  our  General  left  Roxbury  for  New  York. 
He  reached  Mendon,  from  whence  on  the  same 
evening,  he  observed  the  light  in  the  air  of  the  fin 
ishing  stroke  of  burning  the  barracks,  &c.  at  the 
Castle.  The  British  destroyed  the  gun-carriages, 
and  knocked  the  trunnions  off  the  cannon,  and  left 
them  spiked.  The  cannon  were  afterwards  drilled 
free,  and  mounted  on  a  new  construction,  in  stocks, 
placed  on  carriages,  and  were  thereby  rendered 
serviceable. 

22d. — Our  General  reached  Norwich  in  Connect 
icut.  The  troops  marched  with  great  expedition; 
but  by  the  badness  of  the  roads,  the  frost  then  com 
ing  out  of  the  ground,  the  baggage-wagons  moved 
heavily.  The  transports,  destined  for  the  troops, 
were  fitting  for  sea. 

26th. — They  fell  down  to  New  London. 

2yth. — The  troops  were  marched  to  that  place, 
where  they  embarked,  and  came  to  sail  about  noon. 

3Oth. — They  arrived  at  Turtle  Bay,  disembarked, 
and  marched  into  the  city  at  noon.  The  transports 
fell  down  to  the  city  wharves,  and  landed  the  bag 
gage,  &c.  Gen.  Thompson  and  Lord  Sterling,  with 
some  New  York  and  New  Jersey  troops,  were  in  the 
city;  and  works  were  constructing,  in  and  around 
the  city,  on  Long  Island,  and  at  Horn's  Hook;  the 
command  of  the  whole  devolved  on  our  General. 
The  Asia,  British  man-of-war,  then  lay  off  in  the 
harbour,  with  the  Lady  Gage,  of  20  guns;  but,  on 
the  arrival  of  the  brigade,  the  Asia  moved  further 
down,  just  out  of  shot.  Our  General  put  a  stop  to 
the  intercourse  between  the  inhabitants  and  the 
ships,  which  had,  until  then,  been  kept  up. 

April  2d. — Major  D'Hart,  of  the  Jersey  troops, 
with  200  men,  about  midnight,  made  a  descent  on 


54  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i776 

a  small  island  in  the  harbour,  which  the  British  had 
begun  to  fortify;  burnt  a  building  or  two,  took  two 
muskets,  some  entrenching  tools,  and  came  off. 
The  Asia  fired  several  cannon,  but  did  no  harm. 

On  the  evening  of  the  3d,  Maj.  Gen.  Putnam  ar 
rived  at  New  York,  to  whom  the  command  fell. 
About  this  time,  a  vessel  arrived  from  France,  with 
a  large  quantity  of  gun-powder. 

7th. — A  barge  from  one  of  the  ships  going  near 
Staten  Island,  was  fired  upon  by  the  Americans: 
two  men  were  killed,  the  barge  and  8  men  taken. 
The  British  cannonaded  the  shore  for  some  time, 
and  one  American  was  wounded. 

Qth. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Commodore 
Hopkins  had  fallen  in  with  the  British  frigate  Glas 
gow,  a  bomb  brig,  and  two  tenders,  and  after  a 
smart  engagement,  took  the  brig  and  two  tenders. 
The  Glasgow  made  off. 

loth. — Gen.  Sullivan's  brigade  arrived  from  the 
eastward. 

1 2th. — There  were  18  pieces  of  brass  cannon  in 
the  American  park,  at  New  York,  which  were  viewed 
with  no  small  degree  of  pride  and  wonder. 

I3th. — In  the  forenoon,  Gen.  Washington  arrived 
in  the  city,  attended  by  Gen.  Gates  and  several  other 
officers. 

I4th. — The  British  men-of-war  were  all  out  of  the 
bay.  The  Asia  fell  below  the  Narrows;  the  Phenix 
and  others  went  out  to  sea. 

1 5th. — Four  American  regiments,  viz.  Poor's,  Pat 
terson's,  Greaton's,  and  Bond's,  were  ordered  for 
Canada;  Gen.  Thompson  was  to  command  them. 
Gen.  Thomas  had  been,  some  time  before,  sent  from 
Boston  to  command  in  Canada. 

I  yth. — Gen.    Greene's    brigade    arrived    at    New 


MAY,  i776]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  55 

York,  as  did  a  part  of  Spencer's.  Mrs.  Washington 
arrived  the  same  day  in  the  city. 

2ist. — The  regiments  destined  for  Canada  sailed 
for  Albany. 

26th. — Six  more  regiments  were  ordered  for  Can 
ada,  viz.  two  from  the  Pennsylvania  line,  two  from 
the  New  Jersey,  and  two  from  the  New  Hampshire. 

a/th. — Our  General,  having  been  inoculated  with 
the  small-pox,  went  to  Montresor's  Island,  where  he 
went  through  the  operation  of  that  distemper.* 

May  8th. — An  express  arrived  from  Boston,  with 
an  account,  that  a  number  of  British  transports  had 
arrived  at  Nantasket  Road,  with  troops  on  board. 
All  the  American  regiments  at  New  York  were  or 
dered  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  to  march  at  a 
moment's  notice.  Several  soldiers  were  taken  down 
with  the  small-pox,  and  some  of  them  died. 

28th. — Our  General  having  recovered  from  the 
small-pox,  which  had  been  pretty  severe,  returned 
to  the  city,  and  took  the  command  of  his  brigade; 
and  was  the  next  day  General  of  the  day. 

3 1 st. — A  large  ship  and  two  tenders  arrived  at  the 
Narrows.  A  great  number  of  works  were  now  con 
structing,  and  in  good  forwardness.  A  strong  work 
was  raised  at  Paulus  Hook,  on  the  Jersey  side  of  the 
Hudson. 

June  4th. — A  French  vessel,  with  West  India 
goods,  arrived  in  the  harbour. 

yth. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  two  Philadel 
phia  privateers  had  taken  two  rich  Jamaicamen, 
laden  with  sugars,  &c.  and  some  plate  on  board. 

Qth. — Unfavourable  news  was  received  from  Can 
ada.  The  small-pox,  which  was  raging  in  the  Amer 
ican  army,  in  that  quarter,  had  carried  off  Gen. 
Thomas;  and  that  Col.  Beadle  and  Major  Sherburne, 

*  See  Appendix  V. 


56    .  .  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         QWE,  I776 

with  the  detachments  under  their  command,  were 
taken  prisoners,  at  or  near  a  place  called  The  Cedars. 
The  army  in  New  York  was  now  growing  sickly; 
and  there  was  not  a  sufficiency  of  hospital  room,  or  of 
medicines. 

1 4th. — Congress  gave  intimations,  that  General 
Howe,  with  the  British  army  under  his  command, 
might  be  soon  expected  at  New  York.  Some  per 
sons,  suspected  of  treacherous  designs,  were  seized 
and  confined. 

I5th. — Some  intelligence,  more  favourable  than 
the  former,  was  received  from  Canada.  The  Cana 
dians  were  friendly.  Gen.  Sullivan,  who  was  now 
in  that  quarter,  having  gone  from  New  York  with 
the  reinforcement  heretofore  mentioned,  was  forti 
fying;  the  enemy  were  advancing;  but  Gen.  Thomp 
son  was  sent  out  to  oppose  them.  This,  however, 
proved  ineffectual;  Thompson  was  defeated  and 
taken  prisoner.  A  number  of  Scotch  troops,  with 
Col.  Campbell,  had  been  made  prisoners,  near 
Boston  harbour. 

1 8th. — The  Pennsylvania  regiments,  commanded 
by  Colonels  Shee  and  Magaw,  were  arriving  in  the 
city;  they  had  the  appearance  of  fine  troops.  The 
day  before,  Gen.  Wooster  arrived  from  Canada. 

2Oth. — Gen.  Gates,  who  was  made  a  Major-Gen 
eral,  was  to  proceed  immediately  to  Canada,  where 
he  was  to  take  the  command. 

22d. — A  plot  was  discovered  in  the  city;  it  was  to 
have  burst  on  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  others. 
The  Mayor  of  the  city  was  taken  into  custody,  as 
was  a  gun-smith;  and  some  of  the  General's  own 
guard,  who  were  foreigners,  were  said  to  be  in  the 
plot.  The  same  day,  more  particulars  were  received 
from  Boston;  that  the  troops  at  Boston  had  driven 


juNE,i776]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  57 

the  King's  ships  from  the  Lower  Harbour,  and  taken 
several  transports  with  Scotch  soldiers  on  board.* 

25th. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  Liverpool 
man-of-war.  They  reported,  that  the  fleet  from  Hal 
ifax,  with  Gen.  Howe's  army,  were  hourly  expected 
to  arrive  at  New  York.  Every  exertion  was  now  in 
exercise  to  complete  the  works,  and  to  obstruct  the 
river.  The  latter  was  near  Fort  Washington,  and 
prosecuted  by  sinking  a  number  of  large  hulks,  and 
frames  called  chevaux-de-jrise,  composed  of  large  and 
long  timbers  framed  together,  with  points  elevated 
to  pierce  and  stop  the  way  of  vessels  meeting  of  them. 
These  were  boxed  at  the  bottom  to  contain  a  vast 
weight  of  stones,  which  were  put  into  them,  and  with 
which  they  sunk.  A  line  of  these,  and  hulks,  was 
formed  across  the  river;  some  of  them  sunk  very  well; 
others,  rather  irregular;  and  some  of  the  hulks, 
which  were  strapped  together  with  large  timbers, 
separated  in  going  down.  A  passage  was  left  open 
for  vessels  to  pass  through;  and  the  British,  as  it  was 
proved  afterwards,  found  the  means  of  knowing 
where  it  was,  and  of  passing  through  it. 

27th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne  had  arrived  in  Canada,  with  a  strong  rein 
forcement.  The  militia  were  called  in,  to  reinforce 
the  army  at  New  York. 

28th. — One  Thomas  Hickey,  a  private  soldier  in 
the  General's  guard,  was  executed.  He  was  found 
guilty  of  mutiny,  sedition,  and  the  worst  of  practices, 
as  it  was  expressed.  The  same  day,  the  British  fleet 
arrived  at  Sandy  Hook. 

29th. — The  transports  were  coming  in,  during  the 
whole  day.  At  evening,  nearly  100  sail  had  arrived. 
Col.  Durkee's  regiment  was  ordered  over  to  Paulus 
Hook.  The  General  Officers  were  in  council. 

*  See  Appendix  VI. 


58  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         QUL 

3Oth. — Mrs.  Washington  left  the  city. 

July  2d. — Between  10  and  II  o'clock,  A.  M.  four 
British  men-of-war,  and  several  tenders,  came 
through  the  Narrows,  and  anchored  near  the  water 
ing-place  on  Staten  Island.  In  the  afternoon,  they 
cannonaded  towards  the  island.  A  little  before  sun- 
setting,  about  40  sail  of  transports  came  up  to  the 
ships  of  war.  The  Americans  lay  on  their  arms 
during  the  night. 

3d. — The  British  troops  landed  on  Staten  Island. 
A  part  of  the  stock  had  been  taken  off.  The  inhab 
itants,  who  were  about  350  men,  were  supposed  to 
be  generally  opposed  to  the  revolution. 

Qth. — At  evening  roll-call,  the  declaration  of  the 
Congress,  declaring  the  United  Colonies  free,  sover 
eign,  and  independent  States,  was  published  at  the 
head  of  the  respective  brigades,  in  camp,  and  re 
ceived  with  loud  huzzas.* 

1 2th. — Two  British  ships  of  war,  the  Phenix  and 
Rose,  and  three  tenders,  at  about  4  o'clock,  P.  M. 
taking  the  advantage  of  the  tide  and  a  fresh  breeze, 
came  up  from  the  fleet,  and  passed  the  city  up  the 
Hudson.  A  brisk  cannonade  took  place  from  Red 
Hook,  Governor's  Island,  Paulus  Hook,  and  all  the 
batteries  on  the  North  River  side.  The  ships  were 
several  times  struck  by  the  shot,  but  received  no  ma 
terial  damage.  The  ships  returned  the  fire,  as  they 
passed  the  batteries;  and  the  encampment  of  our 
General's  brigade,  (the  right  flank  of  which  being 
Col.  Shepard's  regiment)  was  on  the  bank  of  the 
river.  The  tents  were  struck,  and  dropped  on  the 
ground,  before  the  ships  came  a-breast  of  them. 
Several  shot  fell  on  the  encampment,  and  one  en 
tered  the  embrasure  of  a  small  redoubt,  on  the  flank 
of  the  encampment,  and  struck  in  the  banquette  on 

*See  Appendix  VII. 


juLY,i776]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  59 

the  opposite  side  of  the  redoubt,  between  the  legs  of 
two  soldiers,  but  did  no  damage.  Several  American 
artillerists  were  killed  and  wounded  by  the  bursting 
of  some  of  our  own  cannon.  The  ships  ran  nearly 
up  to  Tappan  Bay,  and  came  to  anchor. 

1 4th. — A  British  officer  came  up  with  a  flag,  with 
a  letter  to  Gen.  Washington;  but  the  letter  not  being 
properly  addressed,  it  was  not  received.  The  same 
day,  a  flag  was  sent  by  Lord  Howe  to  Amboy,  with 
sundry  letters,  directed  to  the  chief  magistrates  of 
several  of  the  Colonies,  and  a  declaration,  offering 
the  King's  pardon  to  such  Colonies,  towns,  or 
boroughs,  as  should  submit  to  his  Majesty's  laws, 
&c.  Lord  and  Gen.  Howe  were  Commissioners  ap 
pointed  to  receive  submissions. 

1 6th. — Another  flag  came  up  from  Lord  Howe, 
with  a  letter  directed  to  George  Washington,  Esq. 
&c.  &c.  &c.  which  was  likewise  rejected,  for  the 
want  of  a  proper  direction. 

iyth. — In  the  morning,  one  or  two  of  the  British 
ships  sailed  out  through  the  Narrows;  and  it  was 
conjectured  that  a  number  sailed  out  during  the 
night.  The  British  ships  which  had  sailed  up  the 
Hudson,  had  moved  higher  up.  The  Connecticut 
light-horse,  which  had  come  out  to  reinforce  the 
army,  were  returning  home. 

2Oth. — A  flag  from  Gen.  Howe,  with  Adj.  Gen. 
Patterson,  came  up  with  a  message  to  Gen.  Wash 
ington,  respecting  the  recent  capitulation  in  Canada, 
and  insinuating  that  Gen.  Howe  was  desirous,  if  pos 
sible,  to  bring  about  an  accommodation.  The  same 
day,  news  was  received  from  South  Carolina  that 
the  British,  in  attempting  Sullivan's  Island,  with 
their  ships  and  a  large  body  of  troops,  said  to  be 
from  1300  to  2000,  were  defeated  by  the  Americans; 
one  frigate  burnt  and  blown  up,  several  others  dam- 


60  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  i776 

aged,  and  172  men  killed  and  wounded.  On  the 
side  of  the  Americans,  10  were  said  to  be  killed,  and 
22  wounded. 

2ist. — A  man,  dressed  in  woman's  clothes,  was 
taken  up,  in  attempting  to  get  to  the  British  fleet: 
he  was  committed  to  prison.  The  same  day,  Gen. 
Sullivan  arrived  from  Canada.  About  noon,  a  num 
ber  of  cannon  and  small-arms  were  heard  towards 
Elizabethtown. 

25th. — A  row-galley  or  two,  arrived  from  Con 
necticut;  and  fire-ships,  rafts,  &c.  were  preparing 
with  great  expedition. 

26th. — The  British  ships  up  the  river  fell  some 
distance  lower  down. 

27th. — A  regiment  of  militia,  under  the  command 
of  Col.  Holman,  arrived  from  Massachusetts. 

28th. — Two  row-galleys  moved  up  the  Hudson. 

29th. — Col.  Sargent's  regiment  of  Continental 
troops  arrived  at  Horn's  Hook,  from  Boston,  and 
Col.  Hutchinson's  from  the  same  place.  Several 
British  ships  arrived  and  joined  the  fleet. 

3 1 st. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Dunmore, 
with  his  fleet,  had  got  nearly  200  miles  up  Potomac 
River  in  Virginia;  that  he  had  burnt  one  house,  and 
was  within  about  30  miles  of  Gen.  Washington's  seat. 

August  1st. — About  30  sail  of  British  ships  arrived 
at  the  Hook.  Three  or  four  more  row-galleys  went 
up  the  Hudson.  In  bringing  the  hulks,  cbevaux-de- 
frise,  &c.  round  from  the  East  River,  to  the  Hudson, 
a  sloop  sunk,  not  far  from  the  Grand  Battery. 

2d. — Glover's  regiment  arrived  from  the  eastward. 

3d. — About  noon  there  was  a  brisk  cannonade  up 
the  Hudson,  between  the  American  row-galleys  and 
the  British  ships:  the  former  had  two  men  killed, 
two  mortally,  and  12  slightly  wounded.  The  British 
loss  was  not  known. 


AuG.1776]        HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  61 

yth. — There  were  some  movements  among  the 
British  fleet;  the  men-of-war  appeared  to  be  formed 
in  line.  Two  deserters  came  in  who  reported  that 
an  attack  on  the  Americans  was  intended  soon. 

8th. — A  row-galley  and  two  fire-sloops  went  up 
the  river.  It  was  intended  to  attempt  burning  the 
British  ships  in  Tappan  Bay.  The  American  army 
was  now  very  sickly;  four  soldiers  were  buried  on 
this  day,  from  our  General's  brigade  only.  About, 
and  a  little  after  this  time,  the  army  was  more  sickly 
than  at  any  other  period.  The  newspapers  at  Phil 
adelphia  and  Boston,  rated  the  army  at  70,000  strong 
and  in  high  spirits,  and  that  they  would  soon  clear 
the  enemy  from  America.  This  was  not  a  little 
mortifying  to  Gen.  Washington,  who  had  the  evi 
dence,  that  the  army  did  not  exceed  40,000,  officers 
included;  and  a  large  portion  of  these  were  levies 
and  militia,  called  out  for  short  periods,  and  unac 
quainted  with  a  camp  life.  Hence  the  number  of 
sick  amounted  to  near  10,000;  nor  was  it  possible  to 
find  proper  hospitals  or  proper  necessaries  for  them. 
In  almost  every  barn,  stable,  shed,  and  even  under 
the  fences  and  bushes,  were  the  sick  to  be  seen,  whose 
countenances  were  but  an  index  of  the  dejection  of 
spirit,  and  the  distress  they  endured. 

Qth. — It  was  learnt  that  the  British  were  preparing 
for  an  attack,  and  were  putting  their  heavy  artillery, 
&c.  on  board  ship. 

In  reconnoitring  the  position  of  New  York,  long 
before  this  time,  all  were  agreed,  that  the  upper  end 
of  the  island,  and  above  Kingsbridge,  must  be  se 
cured,  or  there  could  be  no  security  to  an  army  on 
the  island;  but  there  was  some  difference  in  opinion 
as  to  the  place.  A  commanding  height,  near  Mor 
ris's  house,  some  distance  below  the  bridge,  within 
the  island,  was  thought  by  some,  among  whom  was 


62  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [AuG.i776 

Gen.  Putnam,  a  position  which,  if  properly  fortified, 
would  be  almost  impregnable.  While  others,  among 
whom  was  our  General,  and  his  brother  Gen.  Greene, 
who  were  generally  in  sentiment,  insisted  that  there 
could  be  no  security  on  the  island,  although  the  post 
before  mentioned  was  made  as  strong  as  Gibraltar, 
if  the  heights  above  the  bridge  were  left  unfortified, 
as  the  enemy  might  at  any  time,  in  an  hour  or  two, 
possess  themselves  of  those  heights  above  the  bridge, 
and  completely  entrap  the  army;  and  each  declared 
positively,  that  he  would  not  rest  easy  or  satisfied, 
until  those  grounds  were  taken  possession  of.  Fort 
Washington  was  begun  on  the  hill  first  mentioned, 
and  the  works  were  pushed  as  fast  as  possible;  and  it 
was  determined  to  erect  another  fort  above  the  bridge, 
which  was  also  begun,  and  called  Independence. 
Every  exertion  was  now  in  exercise  to  complete  the 
works  in  and  about  the  city,  some  of  which  were 
strong.  Indeed,  immense  labour  had  been  bestowed 
on  the  works  at  the  city,  on  Long  Island,  at  Horn's 
Hook,  near  Hell  Gate,  and  at  Paulus  Hook,  on 
the  Jersey  side,  opposite  the  city,  on  Governor's 
Island,  &c. 

nth. — Our  General  received  a  commission  from 
Congress,  dated  the  Qth,  appointing  him  a  Major- 
General  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
Generals  Spencer,  Sullivan  and  Greene  received  at 
the  same  time  commissions  of  the  same  tenor. 

1 2th. — In  the  afternoon,  30  or  40  British  vessels 
came  through  the  Narrows,  and  joined  the  fleet. 

1 3th. — A  number  more  of  ships,  some  of  them 
very  large,  came  in  and  joined  the  fleet:  the  ships  up 
the  river  fell  a  little  lower  down. 

I4th. — Our  General  rode  to  Horn's  Hook  and 
Kingsbridge.  The  person  who  had  the  direction  of 
the  fire-vessels  requested  him  to  be  a  spectator  on 


AuG.i776]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  63 

the  bank  of  the  river,  of  an  attempt  intended  to  be 
made  on  that  night,  to  burn  ships.  Attended  by 
Gen.  Clinton,  and  several  other  officers,  they  waited 
on  the  bank  until  about  midnight;  but  no  attempt  on 
the  ships  was  made,  and  they  returned  disappointed. 
1 6th. — Our  General  was  again  requested  to  be  a 
spectator  on  the  bank  of  the  river  the  approaching 
night,  with  the  most  positive  assurances  that  he 
should  not  be  again  disappointed:  he  accordingly 
went,  attended  as  on  the  preceding  time,  and  took  a 
proper  position  on  the  bank.  The  night  was  pretty 
dark;  they  soon  found  that  the  galleys  and  fire- vessels 
were  silently  moving  up  with  the  tide.  After  some 
time,  and  almost  immediately  after  the  sentinels  on 
board  the  British  ships  had  passed  the  word,  "all  is 
well,"  two  of  the  fire-vessels  flashed  into  a  blaze;  the 
one  close  on  the  side  of  the  Phenix,  the  other  grap 
pling  one  of  the  tenders.  To  appearance,  the  flames 
were  against  the  side  of  the  Phenix;  and  there  was 
much  confusion  on  board.  A  number  of  cannon 
were  discharged  into  the  fire-vessel  in  order  to  sink 
her.  A  number  of  seamen  ascended,  and  got  out  on 
the  yard-arm,  supposed  to  clear  away  some  grap- 
plings.  The  fire-vessel  was  alongside,  as  was  judged 
near  ten  minutes,  when  the  Phenix  either  cut,  or 
slipt  her  cable,  let  fall  her  fore-topsail,  wore  round, 
and  stood  up  the  river,  being  immediately  veiled  from 
the  spectators,  by  the  darkness  of  the  night.  The 
tender  burnt  down  to  the  water's  edge,  and  was 
towed  to  the  shore  by  the  Americans,  out  of  which 
was  taken,  one  iron  six-pounder,  two  three-pounders, 
one  two-pounder,  ten  swivels,  a  caboose,  some  gun- 
barrels,  cutlasses,  grapplings,  chains,  &c.  The 
Rose,  and  the  other  two  tenders,  remained  at  their 
moorings;  but  it  was  said  that  one  of  the  tenders  was 
deserted  by  her  crew,  for  a  time.  Several  of  our 


64  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AuG.i776 

galleys  were  said  to  have  been  inactive;  otherwise,  a 
very  considerable  advantage  would  have  been  reaped. 
The  Americans  sustained  no  loss  or  injury,  saving 
one  man,  who,  in  communicating  fire  to  one  of  the 
vessels,  got  considerably  burnt  in  the  face,  hands,  &c. 

iyth. — The  Commander  in  Chief,  having  ordered 
our  General  to  take  the  command  of  the  troops  and 
posts,  at  the  north  end  of  the  island,  and  above 
Kingsbridge,  within  which  command  fell  the  Forts 
Washington  and  Independence,  and  a  number  of 
other  works,  he  took  the  command  accordingly. 

1 8th. — Very  early  in  the  morning,  the  wind  being 
pretty  fresh,  and  it  being  very  rainy,  the  ships  and 
tenders  which  were  up  the  river,  got  under  sail,  and 
ran  down,  keeping  as  close  under  the  east  bank  as 
they  could,  in  passing  our  works.  They  were,  how 
ever,  briskly  cannonaded  at  Fort  Washington;  and 
the  works  below;  were  several  times  struck,  but  re 
ceived  no  material  damage.  They  joined  their  fleet 
near  Staten  Island. 

iQth. — It  was  made  pretty  certain,  that  the  British 
were  upon  the  point  of  making  an  attack  somewhere. 
By  an  express,  which  our  General  received  from 
Gen.  Washington,  at  half  past  2  o'clock,  A.  M.  of  the 
22d,  he  was  pleased  to  communicate,  that,  by  intel 
ligence  which  he  had  received,  the  enemy  had  inten 
tions  of  making  attacks  on  Long  Island,  up  the 
North  River,  upon  Bergen  Point,  Elizabethtown 
Point,  Amboy,  &c.  Perhaps  so  many  places  were 
mentioned  in  order  to  divide  the  force  of,  and  dis 
tract  the  Americans.  On  this  morning,  however, 
they  landed,  near  Gravesend  Bay,  on  Long  Island, 
about  8,000  men;  Col.  Hand,  with  his  rifle  corps, 
retreating  moderately  before  them,  and  destroying 
some  wheat  which  would  fall  into  their  hands.  The 
British  advanced  as  far  as  Flatbush,  where  they 


AuG.i776]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  65 

halted.  Six  American  regiments  were  sent  over  as  a 
reinforcement.  Gen.  Sullivan  had  the  command  on 
the  island. 

24th. — There  were  some  skirmishes  on  Long 
Island;  but  nothing  very  material. 

25th. — A  number  of  the  enemy's  ships  fell  down 
towards  the  Narrows;  it  was  supposed  with  intent 
to  land  more  troops  on  Long  Island. 

26th. — In  the  morning,  a  brisk  cannonade  on 
Long  Island,  for  some  time.  The  British  had  thrown 
up  some  works  at  Flatbush  from  which  they  fired 
at  the  Americans. 

27th. — Early  in  the  morning,  two  ships  and  a  brig 
came  to  anchor  a  little  above  Throg's  Point.  Our 
General  immediately  detached  Col.  Graham  with  his 
regiment,  to  prevent  their  landing  to  plunder  or  burn. 
Before  he  arrived,  several  barges  full  of  men  landed 
on  New  City  Island,  and  killed  a  number  of  cattle. 
Two  companies  of  the  regiment,  immediately  on 
their  arrival,  ferried  over  to  the  island.  The  enemy 
carried  off  one  man  and  14  cattle — the  remainder  of 
the  cattle  were  secured. 

On  the  same  day,  there  was  a  most  bloody  battle 
on  Long  Island,  between  the  Americans  and  the 
British.  The  British,  by  a  long  circuitous  march  in 
the  night  of  the  26th,  with  a  part  of  their  army, 
found  the  left  of  the  Americans  not  so  well  secured 
as  it  ought  to  have  been;  and  they  had  an  oppor 
tunity  to  reach  ground  which  gave  them  great  ad 
vantage,  while  it  equally  exposed  the  Americans  in 
the  strong  grounds  towards  Flatbush.  There  was 
here  also  another  circumstance  of  ground  which 
now  proved  very  disadvantageous  to  the  Americans. 
There  was  a  considerable  marsh,  into  which  a  creek 
ran,  and  on  which  there  was  a  mill,  known  by  the 
name  of  M'Gowen's.  At  the  mill  there  was  a  pass- 


66  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AuG.i776 

way  over;  but  unluckily,  when  some  of  the  Ameri 
cans  had  retreated  by  this  mill,  (for  they  were  soon 
routed  by  the  British,  who  formed  an  attack  almost 
in  a  semi-circle)  it  was  set  on  fire.  This  would  have 
been  a  politic  step,  had  all  the  Americans  on  the 
other  side,  in  that  quarter,  previously  passed;  but 
those  still  beyond  the  creek  were  now  driven  to  al 
most  desperate  circumstances:  they  could  not  pass 
at  the  head  of  the  creek;  for  the  British  column, 
which  made  the  circuitous  movement,  were  in  pos 
session  of  the  ground  on  the  left;  consequently,  many 
were  here  killed  or  taken  prisoners,  and  numbers 
perished  in  attempting  to  get  over  the  creek,  some 
of  them  sticking  in  the  mud.  Those  who  escaped 
retreated  to  the  American  works.  The  British  sus 
tained  a  considerable  loss  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  a  subaltern  and  23  men  were  taken  prisoners; 
but  the  American  loss  was  far  greater,  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners.  Among  the  latter  were 
Gen.  Sullivan  and  Lord  Sterling.  Several  field- 
pieces  were  also  lost.  At  evening,  the  British  army 
encamped  in  front  of  the  Americans.* 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  there  was  a  skirmish 
between  the  Americans  and  British  which  termi 
nated  rather  in  favour  of  the  former.  The  same 
night,  the  British  began  to  open  works,  at  the  dis 
tance  of  about  600  yards  from  the  American  works 
on  the  left.  Gen.  Washington  wrote  to  our  General 
to  send  down  to  the  city  all  the  boats  that  could  be 
spared  from  Kingsbridge  and  Fort  Washington,  in 
timating  that  he  might  possibly  find  it  necessary,  at 
night,  to  throw  over  more  troops  to  Long  Island. 
This  order  was  immediately  complied  with,  and  the 
boats  sent  down,  while  the  real  intention  of  their 
use  was  fully  understood. 

*  See  Appendix  VIII. 


AUG.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  67 

29th. — The  ships  in  the  East  River  fell  down  to 
Hunt's  Point.  On  the  same  night,  the  Americans 
evacuated  Long  Island,  bringing  off  their  military 
stores,  provisions,  &c.  Some  heavy  cannon  were 
left.  In  this  retreat  from  the  island,  and  which  was 
well  conducted,  an  instance  of  discipline  and  of  true 
fortitude  was  exhibited  by  the  American  guards  and 
pickets.  In  order  that  the  British  should  not  get 
knowledge  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  Americans  until 
their  main  body  had  embarked  in  the  boats  and 
pushed  off  from  the  shore,  which  was  a  matter  of 
the  highest  importance  to  their  safety)  the  guards 
were  ordered  to  continue  at  their  respective  posts, 
with  sentinels  alert,  as  if  nothing  extraordinary  was 
taking  place,  until  the  troops  had  embarked:  they 
were  then  to  come  off,  march  briskly  to  the  ferry, 
and  embark  themselves.  But,  somehow  or  other, 
the  guards  came  off,  and  had  got  well  toward  the 
landing-place,  when  they  were  ordered  to  face  about, 
march  back,  and  re-occupy  their  former  posts;  which 
they  instantly  obeyed  and  continued  at  them,  until 
called  off  to  cross  the  ferry.  Whoever  has  seen 
troops  in  a  similar  situation,  or  duly  contemplates 
the  human  heart  in  such  trials,  well  know  how  to 
appreciate  the  conduct  of  these  brave  men  on  this 
occasion. 

3 1 st. — In  the  forenoon,  the  British  appeared  at 
Newtown,  where  they  pitched  a  number  of  tents. 
Governor's  Island  was  evacuated  the  preceding  night 
by  the  Americans.  It  was  now  evident  that  the 
next  object  of  the  enemy  would  be  to  get  the  city; 
and  it  was  equally  so,  that  they  would  land  some 
where  on  the  island  without  it.  This  night,  several 
of  the  regiments  of  Gen.  Mifflin's  brigade,  of  our 
General's  division,  lay  on  the  hills  towards  New 
York;  and  Gen.  Clinton's  brigade  on  their  arms. 


68  -  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  i776 

The  same  evening,  Hand's,  Shee's,  Magaw's,  Brod- 
head's,  and  Miles's  battalions,  joined  our  General's 
division.  Some  of  these  corps  had  suffered  greatly, 
in  the  action  on  Long  Island. 

September  1st. — The  British  appeared  to  be  en 
camped  in  several  places  on  Long  Island.  They  had 
run  a  ship  in  between  Governor's  Island  and 
Red  Hook. 

2d. — They  ran  a  ship  past  the  city  up  the  East 
River:  she  was  several  times  struck  by  the  shot  of  a 
12  pounder,  which  was  drawn  to  the  river's  bank. 
Major  Crane,  of  the  artillery,  was  wounded  in  the 
foot,  by  a  cannon  shot  from  the  ship.  It  was  now  a 
question  whether  to  defend  the  city,  or  evacuate  it, 
and  occupy  the  strong  grounds  above.  Every  exer 
tion  had  been  made  to  render  the  works  both  num 
erous  and  strong;  and  immense  labour  and  expense 
had  been  bestowed  on  them;  and  it  was  now  deter 
mined  that  the  city  should  be  obstinately  defended. 

4th. — Gen.  Washington  came  up,  and  dined  at 
our  General's  quarters.  The  same  day,  a  detach 
ment  of  the  artillery,  with  one  24  pounder,  three  12 
pounders,  three  3  pounders,  and  a  howitzer,  joined 
the  division.  The  enemy  were  plundering  cattle  on 
Long  Island,  now  fully  in  their  possession. 

^th. — Our  General  ordered  a  chain  of  videttes  and 
sentinels  to  be  formed  at  Morrisania,  Hunt's  and 
Throg's  Point,  &c.  The  British  were  pressing  a 
great  number  of  teams  on  Long  Island — their  Head- 
Quarters  were  at  Bedford. 

yth. — The  militia  on  Long  Island  were  ordered  to 
muster,  to  raise  recruits  for  the  King.  The  General 
Officers  of  the  American  army  were  in  council,  at 
Head-Quarters  in  New  York.  The  British  were  now 
erecting  a  work  nearly  opposite  to  ours  at  Horn's 
Hook,  and  the  distance  not  great. 


SEPT.i776]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  69 

8th. — The  British  opened  their  battery  against 
Horn's  Hook  Fort.  The  fire  was  briskly  returned. 
The  Americans  had  one  man  killed,  and  two 
wounded. 

gth. — In  the  morning  there  was  a  brisk  cannonade 
on  both  sides.  At  Horn's  Hook,  the  American  ar 
tillery  was  so  well  plied  that  the  British  ceased  firing. 
The  British  were  said  to  be  encamped  in  three  divi 
sions;  one  at  Newtown,  which  was  Head-Quarters, 
one  at  Flushing,  and  one  at  Jamaica. 

loth. — The  British  landed  a  number  of  troops  on 
Montresor's  Island. 

nth. — The  British  continued  to  cannonade  and 
bombard  our  fort  at  Horn's  Hook,  and  to  land  more 
troops  on  Montresor's  Island. 

1 2th. — The  cannonade  continued  against  our  fort 
at  Horn's  Hook,  and  the  British  were  moving  their 
troops  towards  the  East  River.  This  day,  Col.  Ward's 
regiment  of  Connecticut  troops  removed  from  Bur- 
dett's  Ferry,  and  joined  our  General's  division.  The 
General  Officers  were  in  council.  A  former  resolu 
tion  to  defend  the  city  was  rescinded,  with  three 
dissentients. 

1 3th. — Four  British  ships,  one  of  which  was  a  two- 
decker,  ran  by  the  city  up  the  East  River.  The 
cannonade  and  bombardment  at  Horn's  Hook  con 
tinued.  This  evening,  Col.  Chester,  with  five  regi 
ments,  joined  our  General's  division. 

I4th. — The  British  sent  three  or  four  ships  up  the 
North  River  as  far  as  Greenwich.  The  cannon  and 
stores  were  removing  from  New  York  during  the 
night. 

I5th. — About  noon,  the  British  landed  at  Kipp's 
Bay.  They  met  with  but  small  resistance,  and 
pushed  towards  the  city  of  which  they  took  posses 
sion  in  the  afternoon.  They  availed  themselves  of 


7o"  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  i776 

some  cannon  and  stores;  but  their  booty  was  not  very 
great.  Here  the  Americans,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  did 
not  behave  well;  and  here  it  was,  as  fame  hath  said, 
that  Gen.  Washington  threw  his  hat  on  the  ground, 
and  exclaimed,  "Are  these  the  men  with  which  I  am 
to  defend  America?"  But  several  things  may  have 
weight  here; — the  wounds  received  on  Long  Island 
were  yet  bleeding;  and  the  officers,  if  not  the  men, 
knew  that  the  city  was  not  to  be  defended.  Maj. 
Chapman  was  killed,  and  Brig.  Maj.  Wyllis  was 
taken  prisoner.  A  few  others  were  killed,  wounded, 
and  taken  prisoners.  The  Americans  retreated  up  the 
island;  and  some  few,  who  could  not  get  out  of  the 
city  that  way,  escaped  in  boats  over  to  Paulus  Hook, 
across  the  river.  The  house  in  the  fort  at  Horn's 
Hook  was  set  on  fire  by  a  shell,  and  burnt  down. 
The  fort  was  afterwards  abandoned. 

1 6th. — A  little  before  noon,  a  smart  skirmish  hap 
pened  on  the  heights  west  of  Harlem  Plain,  and 
south  of  Morris's  house,  between  a  party  of  Hessian 
yagers,  British  Light-Infantry  and  Highlanders,  and 
the  American  riflemen  and  some  other  troops,  which 
ended  in  favour  of  the  latter.  The  troops  fought 
well  on  both  sides,  and  gave  great  proof  of  their 
marksmanship.  The  Americans  had  several  officers 
killed  and  wounded;  among  the  former,  Lieut.  Col. 
Knowlton,  of  the  Connecticut  line,  and  Capt.  Glea- 
son,  of  Nixon's  Massachusetts  regiment,  two  excel 
lent  officers;  and  Maj.  Leitch,  of  one  of  the  southern 
regiments,  a  brave  officer,  was  among  the  latter. 
This  skirmish  might  have  brought  on  a  general  ac 
tion;  for  both  armies  were  then  within  supporting 
distance  of  the  troops  which  were  engaged.* 

It  now  became  an  object  of  high  importance  to 
calculate,  if  possible,  where  the  British  would  make 

*  See  Appendix  IX. 


SEPT.i776]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  71 

their  next  attempt;  and  here  the  General  Officers 
were  divided  in  opinion.  A  part  of  them  imagined, 
that  the  British  would  first  endeavour  to  make  them 
selves  masters  of  the  whole  of  New  York  Island,  and 
that,  therefore,  the  reduction  of  Fort  Washington, 
and  its  dependencies,  would  be  their  object.  Others 
supposed,  that  they  would  make  a  landing  either  at 
Morrisania,  Hunt's  or  Throg's  Point,  which  eventu 
ally  would  produce  as  certain  a  reduction  of  the 
works  on  the  island,  with  very  little  loss  to  the  Brit 
ish.  It  was  therefore  determined  in  council,  to  guard 
against  both;  and  for  this  purpose,  10,000  men  were 
to  be  retained  on  the  island  at  and  near  Fort  Wash 
ington.  Our  General's  division  was  to  be  aug 
mented  to  10,000  men,  and  a  floating  bridge  was  to 
be  thrown  across  Harlem  Creek,  that  these  two 
bodies  might  communicate  with  and  support  each 
other  as  circumstances  might  require;  and  Major- 
Gen.  Greene  was  to  command  the  flying  camp  on 
the  Jersey  side  of  the  Hudson,  which  was  to  consist 
of  5,000.  The  different  arrangements  took  place 
accordingly. 

iyth. — The  remains  of  Lieut.  Col.  Knowlton  were 
interred  with  military  honours.  The  same  day,  a 
troop  of  militia  light-horse  arrived  from  Connecti 
cut;  others,  and  many  of  the  militia  were  on  their 
way  to  join  the  army. 

1 8th. — Gen.  Parsons's  and  Scott's  brigades,  and 
the  brigade  commanded  by  Col.  Dudley  Sargent, 
joined  our  General's  division;  and  Shee's,  Magaw's, 
Haslett's,  Atlee's,  and  Brodhead's  battalions  were 
ordered  away.  The  British  army  encamped  between 
the  American  army  and  the  city. 

A  picket  from  our  General's  division  of  450  men, 
constantly  mounted  by  relief  at  Morrisania;  from 
which  a  chain  of  sentinels,  within  half  gunshot  of 


72  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [SEPT.  i776 

each  other,  were  planted,  from  the  one  side  of  the 
shore  to  the  other,  and  near  the  water  passage,  be 
tween  Morrisania  and  Montresor's  Island,  which  in 
some  places  is  very  narrow.  The  sentinels  on  the 
American  side  were  ordered  not  to  presume  to  fire 
at  those  of  the  British  unless  the  latter  began;  but 
the  British  were  so  fond  of  beginning  that  there  was 
frequently  a  firing  between  them.  This  having  been 
the  case  one  day,  and  a  British  officer  walking  along 
the  bank,  on  the  Montresor's  side,  an  American 
sentinel,  who  had  been  exchanging  some  shots  with 
a  British  sentinel,  seeing  the  officer,  and  concluding 
him  to  be  better  game,  gave  him  a  shot,  and  wounded 
him.  He  was  carried  up  to  the  house  on  the  island. 
An  officer,  with  a  flag,  soon  came  down  to  the  creek, 
and  called  for  the  American  officer  of  the  picket, 
and  informed  him,  that  if  the  American  sentinels 
fired  any  more,  the  commanding-officer  on  the  island 
would  cannonade  Col.  Morris's  house,  in  which  the 
officers  of  the  picket  quartered.  The  American 
officer  immediately  sent  up  to  our  General  to  know 
what  answer  should  be  returned.  He  was  directed 
to  inform  the  British  officer,  that  the  American  senti 
nels  had  always  been  instructed  not  to  fire  on  senti 
nels^  unless  they  were  first  fired  upon,  and  then  to 
return  the  fire;  that  such  would  be  their  conduct; 
as  to  the  cannonading  of  Col.  Morris's  house,  they 
might  act  their  pleasure.  The  firing  ceased  for  some 
time;  but  a  raw  Scotch  sentinel,  having  been  planted, 
one  day,  he  very  soon  after  discharged  his  piece  at  an 
American  sentinel,  nearest  to  him,  which  was  im 
mediately  returned;  upon  which  a  British  officer 
came  down,  and  called  to  the  American  officers, 
observing  that  he  thought  there  was  to  be  no  firing 
between  the  sentinels.  He  was  answered  that  their 
own  began;  upon  which  he  replied,  "He  shall  then 


SEPT.i776]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  73 

pay  for  it."  The  sentinel  was  directly  after  relieved, 
and  there  was  no  firing  between  the  sentinels,  at  that 
place,  any  more;  and  they  were  so  civil  to  each  other 
on  their  posts  that  one  day,  at  a  part  of  the  creek 
where  it  was  practicable,  the  British  sentinel  asked 
the  American,  who  was  nearly  opposite  to  him,  if  he 
could  give  him  a  chew  of  tobacco:  the  latter,  having 
in  his  pocket  a  piece  of  a  thick  twisted  roll,  sent  it 
across  the  creek  to  the  British  sentinel,  who,  after 
taking  off  his  bite,  sent  the  remainder  back  again. 

2Oth. — The  Commander  in  Chief,  Maj.  Gen.  Put 
nam,  and  some  other  officers  came  up  to  our  Gen 
eral's  division,  and  rode  round  the  camp,  which,  by 
the  return  given  in  on  the  next  day,  consisted  of 
8,771;  but  of  these  there  was  1,294  sick  present,  and 
1,108  sick  absent. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2 1st,  between  one  and  two 
o'clock,  the  light  of  a  great  fire  was  discovered  to  the 
southward,  which  proved  to  be  at  New  York;  when 
a  considerable  part  of  the  city  was  consumed.* 

22d. — Two  seamen,  belonging  to  the  La  Brune,  a 
British  ship  of  war  which  lay  near  Montresor's 
Island,  deserted,  and  came  to  our  General's  quar 
ters;  and  informed  him,  upon  examination,  that  the 
British  had  then  but  a  few  men  on  the  island,  stating 
the  number;  that  the  piece  of  cannon,  which  had 
been  put  on  the  island,  was  taken  back  again  on 
board  the  La  Brune;  that  there  were  a  number  of 
officers  at  the  house  in  which  there  was  a  consider 
able  quantity  of  baggage  deposited,  &c.  Our  Gen 
eral  supposed  that  these  troops  might  be  easily  taken; 
and,  having  called  the  General  Officers  of  his  divi 
sion  together,  took  their  opinion,  who  all  coincided 
with  him  in  sentiment.  He  then  communicated  his 
intention  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  who  gave  it 

*  See  Appendix  X. 


74  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [SEPT.  i776 

his  approbation.  Two  hundred  and  forty  men  were 
destined  for  this  enterprise:  the  command  was  given 
to  Lieut.  Col.  Michael  Jackson,  of  the  Massachu 
setts  line,  with  Majors  Logan  and ,  whose  name 

cannot  be  recollected,  of  the  New  York  troops. 
They  were  to  embark  on  board  three  flat-boats,  cov 
ered  by  a  fourth  with  a  detachment  of  artillery,  with 
a  light  three-pounder,  in  case  it  should  be  found  nec 
essary  in  retreating  from  the  island.  The  mode  of 
attack  was  settled,  and  every  circumstance  secured 
to  promise  success.  They  were  to  fall  down  Har 
lem  Creek  with  the  ebb.  The  time  was  so  calcu 
lated  that  the  young  flood  was  to  be  so  much  made, 
at  the  break  of  day,  as  to  cover  the  flats  at  the  island 
sufficiently  for  the  boats  to  float.  Matters  being 
thus  settled,  our  General  ordered  the  two  sailors  to  be 
brought  in:  he  then  told  them  that  in  consequence 
of  their  information,  an  enterprise  against  the  British 
troops  on  Montresor's  Island  was  to  take  place  that 
night;  that  he  had  ordered  them  to  be  kept  in  safe 
custody  until  the  next  morning,  when,  if  their  decla 
rations  respecting  the  state  of  the  British  on  the 
island  proved  to  be  true,  he  would  give  them  a  pass 
port  to  the  back  country,  whither  they  wished  to  go; 
but,  in  case  their  information  was  false,  he  would 
order  them  hanged  immediately  as  spies;  that  he 
gave  them  the  opportunity,  if  they  had  made  a  wrong 
statement  to  him,  then  to  correct  it.  They  both 
answered,  with  perfect  composure,  that  they  would 
cheerfully  submit  to  the  condition.  Major  Thomas 
Henly  was  now  one  of  our  General's  Aides-de-camp. 
He  importuned  that  he  might  go  with  the  detach 
ment.  He  was  refused,  and  told  that  he  had  no  busi 
ness  there;  that  he  could  exercise  no  command.  He 
grew  quite  impatient,  returned  again  to  the  Gen 
eral's  room,  and  addressed  him:  "Pray,  Sir,  consent 


szpx.1776]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  75 

to  my  going  with  the  party — let  me  have  the  pleas 
ure  of  introducing  the  prisoners  to  you  to-morrow." 
All  his  friends  present  advised  him  not  to  go.  The 
General  finally  consented.  The  troops,  at  the  hour 
assigned,  embarked.  Our  General  informed  them 
that  he,  with  others,  would  be  spectators  of  the 
scene  from  a  certain  point  near  Harlem  Creek. 
Notice  had  been  given  to  the  guards  and  pickets  on 
the  York  Island  side  not  to  hail  the  party  as  they 
went  down.  Unfortunately,  the  lower  sentinel  had 
not  been  so  instructed.  He  was  nearly  opposite  to 
the  point  where  our  General  was  to  be;  and  just  at 
the  instant  when  he  arrived,  had  challenged  the  boats, 
and  ordered  them  to  come  to  the  shore.  From  the 
boats  they  answered,  "Lo!  we  are  friends."  The 
challenge  was  repeated.  The  answer  was,  "We  tell 
you  we  are  friends — hold  your  tongue."  A  bounce 
into  the  water  was  heard;  and  instantly  Maj.  Henly 
came  wading  to  the  shore,  stepped  up  to  our  General, 
catched  him  by  the  hand,  and  said,  "Sir,  will  it  do  ?" 
Our  General,  holding  him  by  the  hand,  replied,  "I 
see  nothing  to  the  contrary;"  to  which  Henly  con 
cluded  by  saying,  "Then  it  shall  do."  He  waded 
back  to  his  boat,  and  got  in.  The  sentinel  called 
again:  "If  you  don't  come  to  the  shore,  I  tell  you  I'll 
fire."  A  voice  from  some  one  in  the  boats,  was, 
"  Pull  away  !"  The  boats  went  on,  and  the  sentinel 
fired  his  piece.  The  boats  reached  the  island  almost 
at  the  moment  intended,  just  as  the  glimmer  of  the 
dawn  was  discoverable.  The  three  field-officers  were 
in  the  first  boat.  Their  intention,  on  the  moment  of 
landing,  was,  for  the  two  seconds  in  command  to 
spring,  the  one  to  the  right,  and  the  other  to  the  left, 
and  lead  on  the  troops  from  the  other  two  boats 
which  were  to  land  on  each  side  of  the  first  boat. 
The  field-officers  landed,  and  the  men  from  their 


76  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [SEPT.  i776 

boat.  The  enemy's  guard  charged  them,  but  were 
instantly  driven  back.  The  men  in  the  other  two 
boats,  instead  of  landing,  lay  upon  their  oars.  The 
British,  seeing  this,  returned  warmly  to  the  charge. 
The  Americans,  finding  themselves  thus  deserted, 
returned  to  their  boats;  but  not  until  Lieut.  Col. 
Jackson  received  a  musket-ball  in  his  leg,  and  Maj. 
Henly,  as  he  was  getting  into  the  boat,  one  through 
his  heart  which  put  an  instant  end  to  his  life.  The 
boat  joined  the  others,  and  they  all  returned,  hav 
ing,  in  the  whole,  about  14  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing;  Maj.  Henly  deeply  regretted.  Had  only 
one  of  the  other  boats  landed  her  men,  the  success 
would  have  been  very  probable;  but  the  two  would 
have  insured  an  execution  of  the  whole  plan,  in  the 
opinion  of  all  concerned.  The  delinquents  in  the 
other  boats  were  arrested,  and  tried  by  court  martial, 
and  one  of  the  Captains  cashiered. 

On  the  night  of  the  23d,  the  British  got  possession 
of  the  works  at  Paulus  Hook.  The  Americans  had 
previously  taken  off  all  the  cannon  and  stores.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  24th,  the  remains  of  Maj.  Henly 
were  interred  by  the  side  of  Lieut.  Col.  Knowlton,  on 
New  York  Island,  with  military  honours. 

25th. — The  militia,  which  had  come  out  from 
the  western  part  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  were 
discharged. 

26th. — The  General  Officers  were  in  council  with 
a  committee  of  Congress  sent  to  make  inquiry  into 
the  condition  of  the  army,  and  agree  upon  the  neces 
sary  augmentation. 

27th. — The  Council  set  again.  The  same  day, 
Maj.  Gen.  Sullivan,  who  had  for  some  time  been  a 
prisoner  with  the  British,  came  to  Head-quarters. 
The  American  prisoners,which  were  taken  in  Canada, 
were  sent  round  by  water,  and  landed  at  Bergen 


Ocr.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  77 

Point,  New  Jersey,  where  they  were  set  at  liberty. 
Gen.  Thompson  was  among  them. 

28th. — Seven  recruits  for  Maj.  Rogers's  corps, 
raising  for  British  service,  were  taken,  going  to  Long 
Island,  and  sent  in. 

ZQth. — There  was  an  unusual  movement  of  boats 
from  Long  Island  to  Montresor's  Island,  and  an  at 
tack  was  soon  expected. 

3Oth. — The  moving  over  of  boats  to  Montresor's 
Island  continued.  The  same  day,  a  frigate  went 
through  Hell  Gate,  and  came  to  anchor  about  10 
o'clock,  A.  M.  near  the  La  Brune.  At  12  o'clock, 
she  came  to  sail,  and  stood  to  the  eastward.  Just  at 
evening  another  ship  came  up;  and  the  next  morning, 

October  ist,  was  at  anchor  in  the  channel,  between 
Harlem  and  Baman's  or  Eldridge's  Island.* 

3d. — The  Brigadier-Generals  of  our  General's  di 
vision  were  in  council,  and  several  new  works  were 
laid  out;  among  others,  a  redoubt  on  the  hill  above 
Williamsbridge.  Our  General,  in  reconnoitring 
his  position,  accompanied  by  Col.  Hand  below  the 
camp  of  the  rifle  corps,  being  apprehensive  that  the 
British  might  land  on  Throg's  Neck,  took  a  view  of 
the  causeway  between  West  Chester  and  the  point. 
Upon  the  creek,  which  runs  between  these  two,  is  a 
tide-mill;  and  a  plank  bridge  at  the  mill,  atthewestend 
of  the  causeway,  (the  side  of  the  American  army)  was 
at  this  time  a  range  of  cord-wood,  as  advantageously 
situated  to  cover  a  party  to  defend  the  pass  as  if 
constructed  for  the  very  purpose.  After  taking  a 
full  view,  our  General  directed  Col.  Hand,  imme 
diately  upon  his  return  to  his  camp,  to  fix  upon  one 
of  the  best  subaltern  officers,  and  25  picked  men  of  his 
corps,  and  assign  them  to  this  pass,  as  their  alarm- 
post  at  all  times;  and,  in  case  the  enemy  made  a 

*  See  Appendix  XI. 


78  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [OCT.  1776 

landing  on  Throg's  Neck,  to  direct  this  officer  imme 
diately  to  take  up  the  planks  of  the  bridge;  to  have 
every  thing  in  readiness  to  set  the  mill  on  fire;  but 
not  to  do  it  unless  the  fire  of  the  riflemen  should 
appear  insufficient  to  check  the  advance  of  the 
enemy  on  to  the  causeway;  to  assign  another  party 
to  the  head  of  the  creek;  to  reinforce  both,  in  case 
the  enemy  landed;  and  that  he  should  be  supported. 
Col.  Hand  made  his  arrangements  accordingly. 

4th. — The  brig  and  tenders  in  the  East  River  came 
down,  and  cast  anchor  near  the  La  Brune  frigate; 
and  the  Roebuck  and  Phoenix  sailed  up  the  North 
River,  and  joined  the  other  ships  which  lay  at  anchor 
there. 

^th. — There  were  some  movements  among  the 
British;  and  a  party  appeared  to  be  very  busy  at  work, 
a  little  below  Harlem.  The  same  night,  the  Ameri 
cans  left  the  heights  of  Bergen.  They  were  upwards 
of  2,000  strong.  They  retreated  as  far  back  as  Bur- 
dett's  Ferry. 

6th. — Orders  were  given  for  throwing  up  a  new 
work  on  Harlem  Creek,  below  the  wood  at 
Morrisania. 

yth. — Gen.  Lincoln  came  to  camp.  He  had  come 
from  Massachusetts  with  a  body  of  militia.  This 
was  the  first  of  his  joining  the  main  army.  The 
same  day,  the  British  were  putting  over  horses  from 
Horn's  Hook  to  Long  Island,  and  fixing  their 
pontoons. 

9th. — Early  in  the  morning,  three  ships,  two  of 
40  guns,  and  one  frigate,  with  two  or  three  tenders, 
stood  up  the  North  River.  They  were  briskly  can 
nonaded  from  Fort  Washington  and  Fort  Constitu 
tion.  They  however  passed  our  works  and  the 
cbevaux-de-jrise;  the  American  galleys,  small  craft, 
and  two  large  ships  standing  on  before  them.  The 


OCT.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  79 

two  ships  were  run  on  shore  near  Philipse's  mills, 
and  two  of  the  galleys  near  Dobb's  Ferry.  The 
enemy  took  possession  of  the  two  galleys,  and  got 
them  off.  A  boat  landed  a  number  of  men,  who 
plundered  a  store,  stove  the  casks,  and  then  set  the 
store  on  fire,  and  left  it.  The  Americans  soon  ex 
tinguished  the  fire. 

Our  General  ordered  Col.  Sargent,  with  500  in 
fantry,  40  light-horse,  Capt.  Horton  of  the  artillery, 
with  two  12  pounders,  and  Capt.  Crafts  with  a  how 
itzer,  to  march  immediately,  with  all  possible  expe 
dition  to  Dobb's  Ferry.  The  enemy  took  a  schooner 
loaded  with  rum,  sugar,  wine,  &c.  and  sunk  a  sloop, 
which  had  on  board  the  machine,  invented  by  and 
under  the  direction  of  a  Mr.  Bushnell,  intended  to 
blow  up  the  British  ships.  This  machine  was  worked 
under  water.  It  conveyed  a  magazine  of  powder, 
which  was  to  be  fixed  under  the  keel  of  a  ship,  then 
freed  from  the  machine,  and  left  wTith  clock-work 
going,  which  was  to  produce  fire  when  the  machine 
had  got  out  of  the  way.  Mr.  Bushnell  had  great 
confidence  of  its  success,  and  had  made  several  ex 
periments  which  seemed  to  give  him  countenance; 
but  its  fate  was  truly  a  contrast  to  its  design. 

Our  General's  division  was  formed  in  line,  with 
its  advance,  reserve,  flank-guards,  and  artillery,  all 
in  order  of  battle,  when  they  were  moved  down  over 
the  different  grounds  which  it  was  supposed  might 
be  the  scene  of  action.  Some  of  this  ground  was 
very  broken,  and  there  were  many  fences.  These 
afforded  frequent  opportunities  for  the  troops  to 
break  off  and  form;  for  the  pioneers  to  open  ave 
nues,  &c.  and  for  the  whole  to  become  acquainted 
with  every  part  of  the  ground,  and  the  best  choice 
of  it,  if  suddenly  called  to  action. 

loth. — One  of  the  ships  which  was  run  a-ground 


8o-  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [OCT.  1776 

was  got  off  by  the  Americans.  Col.  Sargent  re 
turned,  having  left  180  men  to  watch  the  motions 
of  the  British  up  the  river. 

nth. — There  was  a  considerable  movement  among 
the  British  boats  below.  This  afternoon,  Gen. 
Washington's  pleasure-boat,  coming  down  the  river 
with  a  fresh  breeze,  and  a  topsail  hoisted,  was  sup 
posed,  by  the  artillerists  at  Mount  Washington,  to  be 
one  of  the  British  tenders  running  down.  A  12 
pounder  was  discharged  at  her,  which  was  so  exactly 
pointed  as  unfortunately  to  kill  three  Americans, 
who  were  much  lamented.  The  same  day,  several 
of  Gen.  Lincoln's  regiments  arrived,  two  of  which 
were  posted  on  the  North  River. 

1 2th. — Early  in  the  morning,  80  or  90  British  boats, 
full  of  men,  stood  up  the  Sound,  from  Montresor's 
Island,  Long  Island,  &c.  The  troops  landed  at 
Throg's  Neck,  and  their  advance  pushed  towards  the 
causeway  and  bridge,  at  West  Chester  mill.  Col. 
Hand's  riflemen  took  up  the  planks  of  the  bridge, 
as  had  been  directed,  and  commenced  a  firing  with 
their  rifles.  The  British  moved  towards  the  head 
of  the  creek,  but  found  here  also  the  Americans  in 
possession  of  the  pass.  Our  General  immediately 
(as  he  had  assured  Col.  Hand  he  would  do)  ordered 
Col.  Prescott,  the  hero  of  Bunker  Hill,  with  his  reg 
iment,  and  Capt.  Lieut.  Bryant  of  the  artillery,  with 
a  3  pounder,  to  reinforce  the  riflemen  at  West 
Chester  causeway;  and  Col.  Graham  of  the  New 
York  line,  with  his  regiment,  and  Lieut.  Jackson  of 
the  artillery,  with  a  6  pounder,  to  reinforce  at  the 
head  of  the  creek;  all  of  which  was  promptly  done, 
to  the  check  and  disappointment  of  the  enemy.  The 
British  encamped  on  the  neck.  The  riflemen  and 
yagers  kept  up  a  scattering  popping  at  each  other 
across  the  marsh;  and  the  Americans  on  their  side, 


OcT.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  81 

and  the  British  on  the  other,  threw  up  a  work  at 
the  end  of  the  causeway.  Capt.  Bryant,  now  and 
then,  when  there  was  an  object,  saluted  the  British 
wTith  a  field-piece. 

In  the  afternoon,  40  or  50  sail  of  vessels  passed  up, 
and  came  to  anchor  off  Throg's  Point.  The  same 
evening,  Gen.  M'Dougall's  brigade  joined  our  Gen 
eral's  division. 

I3th. — The  brigade,  formerly  under  the  command 
of  our  General,  when  he  was  Brigadier,  joined  his 
division.  The  division  now  became  very  strong. 
The  General  Officers  of  the  army  were  this  day  in 
council  at  our  General's  Quarters. 

I4th. — Our  General,  with  the  Generals  under  his 
command,  reconnoitred  the  enemy  at  Throg's  Neck; 
afterwards,  the  General  Officers  of  the  army  recon 
noitred  the  various  grounds.  The  same  day,  Maj. 
Gen.  Lee  was  ordered  to  the  command  of  the  troops 
above  Kingsbridge,  now  become  the  largest  part  of 
the  American  army.  But  Gen.  Washington  had  de 
sired  him  not  to  exercise  the  command  for  a  day  or 
two,  until  he  could  make  himself  acquainted  with  the 
post,  its  circumstances,  and  arrangements  of  duty. 
A  great  number  of  sloops,  boats,  &c.  were  passing 
the  Sound  eastward,  just  at  dusk — probably  convey 
ing  ammunition,  provisions,  &c.  to  the  troops  at 
Throg's  Point. 

I5th. — Five  sailors  came  off  from  the  La  Brune. 
They  informed  that  there  was  a  large  body  of  the 
British  on  Throg's  Point,  and  that  an  attack  might  be 
soon  expected.  The  scattering  fire  across  the  marsh 
continued,  and  now  and  then  a  man  was  killed. 

1 6th. — Two  works  were  discovered  on  Throg's 
Neck,  nearly  finished.  The  General  Officers  of  the 
army  rode  to  reconnoitre  the  ground  at  Pell's  Neck, 
&c.  and  it  was  determined  that  the  position  of  the 


82  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [OcT.i776 

American  army  should  be  immediately  changed;  the 
left  flank  to  be  extended  more  northerly,  to  prevent 
its  being  turned  by  the  British. 

iyth. — Wadsworth's  and  Fellows's  brigades,  came 
to  Kingsbridge.  The  British  shipping,  &c.  con 
tinued  moving  eastward. 

1 8th. — The  regiment  at  West  Chester  causeway 
had  been  relieved  by  another.  The  officer  on  com 
mand  there,  this  morning,  sent  up  an  express  to  our 
General  informing  him  that  the  British  were  open 
ing  an  embrasure  in  their  work  at  the  end  of  the 
causeway,  and  that  he  apprehended  they  intended, 
under  a  cannonade  from  this,  to  attempt  to  pass. 
Our  General  ordered  one  of  his  aides  to  gallop  his 
horse  to  the  officer  commanding  the  brigade,  near 
Valentine's,  the  nearest  to  West  Chester,  and  order 
him  to  form  his  brigade  instantly.  Arriving,  him 
self,  by  the  time  the  brigade  was  formed,  he  ordered 
the  officer  to  march,  with  the  utmost  expedition, 
to  the  head  of  the  causeway  to  reinforce  the  troops 
there;  himself  moving  on  with  them.  When  the 
troops  had  advanced  to  about  half  the  way  between 
the  head  of  the  creek,  and  the  post  at  the  head  of 
the  causeway,  another  express  met  him,  informing 
him  that  the  whole  British  army  were  in  motion,  and 
seemed  to  be  moving  towards  the  pass  at  the  head 
of  the  creek.  Upon  this,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to 
halt,  the  whole  to  prime  and  load,  and  the  rear  reg 
iment  to  file  off  by  the  left,  and  march  briskly  to 
reinforce  the  Americans  at  the  pass  at  the  head  of 
the  creek.  At  this  instant,  Gen.  Washington  came 
up,  and  having  inquired  of  our  General,  the  state  of 
things,  ordered  him  to  return  immediately,  and  have 
his  division  formed  ready  for  action,  and  to  take 
such  a  position  as  might  appear  best  calculated  to 
oppose  the  enemy,  should  they  attempt  to  land  an- 


OCT.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  83 

other  body  of  troops  on  Morrisania,  which  he 
thought  not  improbable.  Our  General  immediately 
obeyed  the  order. 

The  wind  was  now  fresh  at  southwest.  The  Brit 
ish  crossed  to  the  other  side  of  Throg's  Neck,  em 
barked  on  board  their  boats,  crossed  over  the  cove, 
landed  on  Pell's  Neck,  and  moved  briskly  upwards. 
Three  or  four  of  the  American  regiments  advanced 
towards  them,  and  took  a  good  position  behind  a 
stone  fence.  When  the  British  had  advanced  suffi 
ciently  near,  they  gave  them  a  pretty  close  fire, 
which  checked  them,  and  even  obliged  them  to  fall 
back;  but  being  immediately  supported,  they  re 
turned  vigorously  to  the  charge.  The  action  was 
sharp,  for  a  short  time;  but  the  Americans  were  soon 
obliged  to  give  way  to  superior  force.  Shepard's, 
Read's,  Baldwin's  and  Glover's  regiments  had  the 
principal  share  in  this  action.  The  Americans  had 
between  30  and  40  men  killed  and  wounded;  among 
the  latter,  Col.  Shepard,  in  the  throat,  not  mortally, 
although  the  ball  came  well  nigh  effecting  instant 
death.  The  loss  of  the  British  was  not  known,  but 
must  have  been  considerable.  They  advanced  al 
most  to  New  Rochelle,  and  halted.  The  American 
army  extended  its  left.* 

A  number  of  boats  went  down  towards  New  York. 
It  now  became  necessary  immediately  to  quit  the 
position  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kingsbridge,  the 
British  being  in  the  rear  of  the  left  of  our  army; 
and  it  is  not  a  little  unaccountable,  that  they  did  not 
attempt  to  stretch  themselves  to  cross  to  the  Hudson, 
which  might  have  been  done  with  great  ease.  They 
only  moved  higher  up,  on  the  other  side  of  the  little 
rivulet  Bronx,  which  was  generally  fordable.  The 
White  Plains  were  fixed  upon  for  the  next  position 

*  See  Appendix  XII. 


84  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [Oci.i776 

of  the  American  army.  A  strong  garrison  was  to 
be  left  at  Fort  Washington,  and  our  General  was 
to  leave  one  of  his  regiments,  to  garrison  Fort 
Independence. 

2ist. — At  about  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  our  General's 
division  moved  from  above  Kingsbridge,  having,  be 
sides  their  light  field-pieces,  two  heavy  iron  twelve- 
pounders.  About  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  they 
passed  Gen.  Lincoln's  quarters  on  Valentine's  Hill, 
where  the  Commander  in  Chief  was  to  spend  the 
night.  Our  General  waited  upon  him  to  know  if  he 
had  any  particular  commands  for  him.  The  Com 
mander  in  Chief  only  advised  to  send  forward  one  of 
his  regiments,  to  occupy  the  road  coming  from 
Ward's  Bridge,  nearly  to  whose  farm  the  British  had 
now  advanced;  lest,  apprised  of  his  moving,  they 
should  annoy  his  right  flank,  which,  if  it  had  been 
day-light,  would  have  been  open  to  their  view:  But 
before  the  column  reached  this  cross  road,  it  was 
learnt  that  Col.  Jonathan  Brewer's  regiment  of  ar 
tificers,  who  were  pretty  strong,  and  well  armed, 
were  to  pass  the  night  at  the  entrance  of  the  road 
leading  to  the  bridge  before  mentioned.  The  divi 
sion  reached  Chaderton's  Hill,  to  the  south  of  White 
Plains,  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  22d,  hav 
ing  marched  all  night.  The  instant  our  General 
ascended  the  hill,  he  noticed,  to  appearance,  many 
flashes,  resembling  the  flash  of  the  pan  of  a  musket, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  lot;  on  which  he  immediately 
ordered  a  Captain,  with  a  party,  to  discover  what  it 
was;  who  returned  that  he  could  not  make  discovery 
of  any  thing.  These  were  indeed  the  flashes  of  dis 
charged  muskets  at  some  distance;  the  height  of 
ground  having  decoyed  the  appearance  of  the  dis 
tance.  Lord  Sterling,  who  was  before  in  this  vicinity 
with  his  brigade,  had  formed  an  enterprise  against 


OCT.  ,776]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  85 

Maj.  Rogers's  corps.  The  old  Indian  hunter  in  the 
last  French  war,  who  had  now  engaged  in  the  British 
service,  with  his  corps,  now  lay  on  the  out-post  of 
the  British  army,  near  Mamaroneck.  The  enterprise 
was  conducted  with  good  address;  and  if  the  Amer 
icans  had  known  exactly  how  Rogers's  corps  lay  they 
would  probably  have  killed  or  taken  the  whole. 
As  it  was,  36  prisoners,  60  muskets,  and  some  other 
articles,  were  taken.  The  Major,  conformably  to 
his  former  general  conduct,  escaped  with  the  rest 
of  his  corps.  This  was  a  pretty  affair;  and  if  the 
writer  could  recollect  the  name  of  the  commanding- 
officer,  with  pride  and  pleasure  he  would  insert  it. 
He  belonged  to  one  of  the  southern  lines  of  the  army; 
and  the  whole  of  the  party  were  southern  troops.* 

The  same  day,  our  General  moved  his  division, 
and  took  post  on  the  high  strong  ground  to  the 
north  of  the  court-house.  Gen.  Sullivan's  division 
reached  the  Plains  in  the  course  of  the  succeeding 
night.  In  the  position  of  White  Plains,  our  Gen 
eral's  division  was  on  the  left  of  the  line.  On  his 
left  was  a  deep  hollow  through  which  ran  a  small 
brook,  which  came  from  a  mill-pond  a  little  above. 
On  the  east  side  of  this  hollow  was  a  very  command 
ing  ground,  which  would  enfilade  the  division.  The 
top  of  this  high  ground  was  covered  with  wood. 
To  this  hill  he  ordered  Col.  Malcolm,  with  his  reg 
iment  of  New  York  troops,  and  Lieut.  Fenno  of  the 
artillery,  with  a  field-piece,  directing  them  to  take 
post  in  the  skirt  of  the  wood  at  the  south  brow  of 
the  hill.  The  ground,  from  our  General's  left  to 
the  right,  descended  gradually  a  very  considerable 
distance,  and  then  gradually  ascended  up  to  the 
plain,  and  still  on  to  the  right  to  more  commanding 
ground.  On  this  was  the  American  army  formed, 

*  See  Appendix  XIII. 


86  .  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i776 

the  line  running  nearly  from  north-east  to  south 
west.  There  were  some  strong  works  thrown  up  on 
the  plain,  across  the  road,  and  still  to  the  right  of  it. 
Chaderton's  Hill  was  a  little  advanced  of  the  line, 
and  separated  from  it  by  the  rivulet  Bronx.  A  body 
of  the  Americans  were  posted  on  this  hill.  Head- 
Quarters  were  on  the  plain,  near  the  cross  roads. 
Our  General's  division  had  only  slight  works  for 
musketry. 

23d. — A  cannonade  was  heard  towards  the  Hud 
son.  The  same  evening,  Col.  Tyler's,  Hunting- 
ton's  and  Throop's  regiments,  of  General  Parsons's 
brigade,  and  of  our  General's  division,  moved,  and 
took  post  at  the  head  of  King-street,  near  Rye  Pond. 
Gen.  Lee's  division  had  not  yet  got  up  to  the  army. 

24th. — At  5  o'clock,  A.  M.  a  firing  of  small-arms 
was  heard  to  the  southward.  It  was  a  skirmish 
between  200  men  of  Gen.  Lee's  division,  and  250 
Hessians — 10  of  the  latter  were  killed,  and  two  taken 
prisoners.  The  British  continued  moving  up,  but 
with  great  caution,  their  rear  scarcely  advancing, 
when  they  came  to  encamp  again,  much  further 
than  where  the  advance  had  moved  from — they  ad 
vanced  in  two  columns. 

25th. — Eight  American  regiments  were  ordered  to 
be  ready  to  march  in  the  approaching  night.  Gen. 
Putnam  was  to  command  them;  and  they  were  in 
tended  to  make  an  attack  on  the  enemy's  advance, 
if  it  should  appear  to  be  practicable.  The  same 
morning,  one  12  pounder  at  Dobb's  Ferry  drove  the 
British  man-of-war  off  that  place  from  her  station. 

26th. — Gen.  Lee's  division  joined  the  army.  In 
ascending  some  of  the  hills  on  the  road,  this  division, 
encumbered  with  many  wagons,  was  obliged  to  halt, 
and  double  the  teams,  in  open  view  of  the  British, 
and  at  no  considerable  distance,  who  did  not  at- 


ocT.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  87 

tempt  to  disturb  them;  which,  had  they  done,  the 
loss  of  the  cannon,  wagons,  &c.  could  not  have 
been  avoided.  The  troops  would  have  bent  their 
march  unencumbered  towards  the  Hudson;  but  the 
wagons,  &c.  must  have  been  left.  Two  or  three 
British  soldiers  and  a  Hessian  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  sent  in. 

27th. — In  the  forenoon,  a  heavy  cannonade  was 
heard  towards  Fort  Washington.  Thirteen  Hes 
sians  and  two  or  three  British  soldiers  were  sent  in 
on  this  day.  From  the  American  camp  to  the  west- 
south-west,  there  appeared  to  be  a  very  commanding 
height,  worthy  of  attention.  The  Commander  in 
Chief  ordered  the  General  Officers  who  were  off 
duty  to  attend  him  to  reconnoitre  this  ground,  on 
this  morning.  When  arrived  at  the  ground,  although 
very  commanding,  it  did  not  appear  so  much  so  as 
other  grounds  to  the  north,  and  almost  parallel  with 
the  left  of  the  army,  as  it  was  then  formed.  "  Yon 
der,"  says  Major-Gen.  Lee,  pointing  to  the  grounds 
just  mentioned,  "is  the  ground  we  ought  to  oc 
cupy.  "  "Let  us  then  go  and  view  it,"  replied  the 
Commander  in  Chief.  When  on  the  way,  a  light- 
horseman  came  up  in  full  gallop,  his  horse  almost 
out  of  breath,  and  addressed  Gen.  Washington — 
"The  British  are  on  the  camp,  Sir."  The  General 
observed — "Gentlemen,  we  have  now  other  business 
than  reconnoitring,"  putting  his  horse  in  full  gallop 
for  the  camp,  and  followed  by  the  other  officers. 
When  arrived  at  Head-Quarters,  the  Adjutant-Gen 
eral  [Read,]  who  had  remained  at  camp,  informed 
the  Commander  in  Chief  that  the  guards  had  been 
all  beat  in,  and  the  whole  American  army  were  now 
at  their  respective  posts  in  order  of  battle.  The 
Commander  in  Chief  turned  round  to  the  officers, 
and  only  said,  "Gentlemen,  you  will  repair  to  your 


88  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i776 

respective  posts,  and  do  the  best  you  can."  Our 
General,  on  arriving  at  his  own  division,  found  them 
all  in  the  lines;  and,  from  the  heights  of  his  post, 
found  the  first  attack  was  directed  against  the  Amer 
icans  on  Chaderton's  Hill.  The  little  river  Bronx, 
which  ran  between  the  American  right  and  this  hill, 
after  running  round  its  north  side,  turned  and  ran 
down  on  the  east  and  south-east.  The  British  ad 
vanced  in  two  columns.  At  this  instant,  the  can 
nonade  was  brisk  on  both  sides;  directed  by  the 
British  across  the  hollow  and  Bronx,  against  the 
Americans  on  the  hill,  and  by  them  returned.  Almost 
at  the  same  instant,  the  right  column,  composed  of 
British  troops,  preceded  by  about  20  light-horse  in 
full  gallop,  and  brandishing  their  swords,  appeared 
on  the  road  leading  to  the  court-house,  and  now  di 
rectly  in  the  front  of  our  General's  division.  The 
light-horse  leaped  the  fence  of  a  wheat-field,  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill,  on  which  Col.  Malcolm's  regiment 
was  posted;  of  which  the  light-horse  were  not  aware, 
until  a  shot  from  Lieut.  Fenno's  field-piece  gave  them 
notice  by  striking  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  a  horse 
man  pitching  from  his  horse.  They  then  wheeled 
short  about,  galloped  out  of  the  field  as  fast  as  they 
came  in,  rode  behind  a  little  hill  in  the  road,  and 
faced  about;  the  tops  of  their  caps  only  being  visible 
to  our  General,  where  he  stood.  The  column  came 
no  further  up  the  road,  but  wheeled  to  the  left  by 
platoons,  as  they  came  up;  and,  passing  through  a 
bar,  or  gateway,  directed  their  head  towards  the 
troops  on  Chaderton's  Hill,  now  engaged.  When 
the  head  of  the  column  had  got  nearly  across  the  lot, 
their  front  got  out  of  sight,  nor  could  the  extent  of 
their  rear  be  now  discovered.  The  sun  shone  bright, 
their  arms  glittered,  and  perhaps  troops  never  were 
shewn  to  more  advantage  than  these  now  appeared. 


ocT.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  89 

The  whole  now  halted;  and  for  a  few  minutes  the 
men  all  sat  down  in  the  same  order  in  which  they 
stood,  no  one  appearing  to  move  out  of  his  place. 
The  cannonade  continued  brisk  across  the  Bronx. 
A  part  of  the  left  column,  composed  of  British  and 
Hessians,  forded  the  river,  and  marched  along  under 
the  cover  of  the  hill  until  they  had  gained  sufficient 
ground  to  the  left  of  the  Americans;  when,  by  facing 
to  the  left  their  column  became  a  line,  parallel  with 
the  Americans.  When  they  briskly  ascended  the 
hill,  the  first  column  resumed  a  quick  march.  As 
the  troops,  which  were  advancing  to  the  attack, 
ascended  the  hill,  the  cannonade  on  the  side  of  the 
British  ceased;  as  their  own  men  became  exposed 
to  their  fire,  if  continued.  The  fire  of  small-arms 
was  now  very  heavy,  and  without  any  distinction  of 
sounds.  This  led  some  American  officers,  who  were 
looking  on,  to  observe  that  the  British  were  worsted, 
as  their  cannon  had  ceased  firing;  but  a  few  minutes 
evinced  that  the  Americans  were  giving  way.  They 
moved  off  the  hill  in  a  great  body,  neither  running, 
nor  observing  the  best  order.  The  British  ascended 
the  hill  very  slowly;  and  when  arrived  at  its  summit, 
formed  and  dressed  their  line,  without  the  least  at 
tempt  to  pursue  the  Americans.  The  loss  on  the 
side  of  the  Americans  was  inconsiderable;  that  of 
the  British  was  not  then  known.  The  British  hav 
ing  got  possession  of  rhis  hill,  it  gave  them  a  vast 
advantage  of  the  American  lines,  almost  down  to  the 
centre. 

zgth. — The  British  began  to  throw  up  some  small 
works  on  the  hill,  of  which  they  had  got  possession. 
The  Americans  were  drawing  back;  and  a  position 
was  to  be  taken  on  the  high  strong  grounds,  before 
in  the  rear  of  a  part  of  the  army.  The  left  of  our 
General's  division  was  not  to  move;  but  the  re- 


9o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  1776 

mainder  of  his  division,  and  all  the  other  divisions 
of  the  army  were  to  fall  back  and  form  nearly  east 
and  west.  About  this  time,  Col.  Lasher,  who  be 
longed  to  our  General's  division,  (and  who  had  been 
left  with  his  regiment  to  garrison  Fort  Independence, 
near  Kingsbridge)  sent  an  express,  who  passed  the 
enemy  in  the  night,  to  know  what  he  should  do,  the 
regiment  growing  weak  and  sickly.  Our  General 
applied  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  to  know  his 
pleasure,  who  directed,  that  the  Colonel  should  give 
notice  to  Col.  Magaw,  who  commanded  at  Fort 
Washington,  that  he  might  take  away  the  cannon, 
stores,  &c.  and  that  Col.  Lasher,  after  destroying  the 
barracks,  huts,  &c.  should  join  the  army,  which  he 
soon  effected.  This  day,  3  prisoners  were  sent  in; 
and  the  Americans  were  now  throwing  up  some 
strong  works  on  the  high  grounds. 

3Oth. — The  British  remained  upon  the  ground  they 
had  taken. 

3 1 st. — The  British  continued  as  before,  throwing 
up  a  work,  &c.  At  night,  the  Americans  evacuated 
their  works  on  the  plain,  near  late  Head-Quarters, 
setting  fire  to  several  barns,  and  one  house,  which 
contained  forage,  and  some  stores  that  could  not  be 
removed. 

November  1st. — In  the  morning,  the  British  ad 
vanced  with  a  number  of  field-pieces,  to  the  north  of 
the  road,  near  late  Head-Quarters,  (a  heavy  col 
umn  appearing  behind  on  the  hill,  ready  to  move 
forward)  and  commenced  a  furious  cannonade  on 
our  General's  division,  which  was  nobly  returned  by 
Capt.  Lieut.  Bryant  and  Lieut.  Jackson,  of  the  artil 
lery.  Our  General's  first  anxiety  was  for  Col.  Mal 
colm's  regiment  on  the  hill,  to  the  east  of  the  hollow 
on  the  left,  lest  the  enemy  should  push  a  column  into 
the  hollow,  and  cut  the  regiment  off  from  the  divi- 


NOV.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  91 

sion.  He  therefore  ordered  Maj.  Keith,  one  of  his 
aides,  to  gallop  over,  and  order  Col.  Malcolm  to 
come  off  immediately  with  Lieut.  Fenno's  artillery. 
But,  upon  a  more  critical  view  of  the  ground  in  the 
hollow,  (at  the  head  of  which  there  was  a  heavy 
stone  wall,  well  situated  to  cover  a  body  of  troops  to 
throw  a  heavy  fire  directly  down  it,  while  an  oblique 
fire  could  be  thrown  in  on  both  sides)  he  ordered 
Maj.  Pollard,  his  other  aide,  to  gallop  after  Keith, 
and  countermand  the  first  order,  and  direct  the 
Colonel  to  remain  at  his  post,  and  he  should  be 
supported.  A  strong  regiment  was  ordered  to  the 
head  of  the  hollow,  to  occupy  the  wall.  The  can 
nonade  was  brisk  on  both  sides,  through  which  the 
two  aides-de-camp  passed  in  going  and  returning. 
At  this  instant,  Gen.  Washington  rode  up  to  the  hill. 
His  first  question  to  our  General,  was,  "How  is 
your  division?"  He  was  answered,  "They  are  all 
in  order."  "Have  you,"  said  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  "any  troops  on  the  hill  over  the  hollow?" 
He  was  answered,  "Malcolm's  regiment  is  there." 
"If  you  do  not  call  them  off  immediately,"  says  the 
General,  "you  may  lose  them,  if  the  enemy  push  a 
column  up  the  hollow."  He  was  answered,  that  even 
in  that  case,  their  retreat  should  be  made  safe;  that 
a  strong  regiment  was  posted  at  the  head  of  the  hol 
low,  behind  the  wall;  that  this  regiment,  with  the 
oblique  fire  of  the  division,  would  so  check  the  enemy, 
as  to  allow  Malcolm  to  make  a  safe  retreat.  The 
Commander  in  Chief  concluded  by  saying,  "Take 
care  that  you  do  not  lose  them."  The  artillery  of 
the  division  was  so  well  directed  as  to  throw  the 
British  artillery-men  several  times  into  confusion; 
and  finding  that  they  could  not  here  make  any  im 
pression,  drew  back  (their  pieces,  the  column  not 
advancing.  The  British  artillery  now  made  a  circui- 


92  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  i776 

tous  movement,  and  came  down  toward  the  American 
right.  Here,  unknown  to  them,  were  some  12 
pounders;  upon  the  discharge  of  which,  they  made 
off  with  their  field-pieces  as  fast  as  their  horses  could 
draw  them.  A  shot  from  the  American  cannon,  at 
this  place,  took  off  the  head  of  a  Hessian  artillery 
man.  They  also  left  one  of  the  artillery  horses  dead 
on  the  field.  What  other  loss  they  sustained  was  not 
known.  Of  our  General's  division,  one  man  only, 
belonging  to  Col.  Paulding's  regiment  of  New  York 
troops,  was  killed.  The  British  made  no  other  at 
tempt  on  the  Americans,  while  they  remained  at 
White  Plains.  The  two  armies  lay  looking  at  each 
other,  and  within  long  cannon-shot.  In  the  night 
time,  the  British  lighted  up  a  vast  number  of  fires, 
the  weather  growing  pretty  cold.  These  fires,  some 
on  the  level  ground,  some  at  the  foot  of  the  hills,  and 
at  all  distances,  to  their  brows  some  of  which  were 
lofty,  seemed  to  the  eye  to  mix  with  the  stars,  and  to 
be  of  different  magnitudes.  The  American  side, 
doubtless,  exhibited  to  them  a  similar  appearance. 
On  this  day,  our  General  ordered  three  redoubts, 
with  a  line  in  front,  to  be  thrown  up  on  the  summit 
of  his  post,  so  constructed,  that  the  whole  of  them 
could  make  a  defence,  and  support  each  other  at  the 
same  time,  if  attacked.  These,  to  the  enemy,  in 
whose  view  they  fully  were,  must  have  appeared  very 
formidable,  although  they  were  designed  principally 
for  defence  against  small-arms;  and  perhaps  works 
were  never  raised  quicker.  There  were  the  stalks  of 
a  large  corn-field  at  the  spot:  the  pulling  these  up  in 
hills,  took  up  a  large  lump  of  earth  with  each.  The 
roots  of  the  stalks  and  earth  on  them,  placed  in  the 
face  of  the  works,  answered  the  purpose  of  sods,  or 
fascines.  The  tops  being  placed  inwards,  as  the  loose 
earth  was  thrown  upon  them,  became  as  so  many 


Nov.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  93 

ties  to  the  work,  which  was  carried  up  with  a  dis 
patch  scarcely  conceivable. 

The  British,  as  they  say,  had  meditated  an  attack 
on  the  Americans,  which  was  only  prevented  by  the 
wetness  of  the  night.  Be  this  as  it  may,  our  General 
had  ordered  his  division,  at  evening  roll-call,  to  be 
at  their  alarm-posts,  (which  they  every  morning 
manned,  whilst  at  this  place)  half  an  hour  sooner  than 
usual.  He  had  then  no  other  reason  for  doing  this 
than  the  near  position  of  the  enemy,  and  the  proba 
bility  that  they  would  soon  make  an  attack:  But  the 
Commander  in  Chief  must  have  made  some  other 
discovery;  for,  after  our  General  was  in  bed,  Col. 
Cary,  who  was  one  of  the  aides-de-camp  of  Gen. 
Washington,  came  to  the  door  of  his  marquee,  and 
calling  to  him,  informed  him  that  the  whole  army 
were  to  be  at  their  alarm-posts  the  next  morning 
half  an  hour  sooner  than  usual,  and  that  he  was  to 
govern  himself  accordingly.  Our  General  replied 
that  he  had  fortunately  given  such  orders  to  his 
division,  at  evening  roll-call.  He  therefore  neither 
got  up  himself,  nor  disturbed  any  other  of  his 
division.* 

3d. — The  sentinels  reported  that  during  the  pre 
ceding  night  they  heard  the  rumbling  of  carriages 
to  the  south-eastward;  and  it  was  apprehended  that 
the  British  were  changing  their  position. 

5th. — The  British  sentinels  were  withdrawn  from 
their  advanced  posts.  It  was  apprehended  that  they 

*  Stedman  mistakes  greatly  in  his  history,  where,  in  vol.  I. 
page  216,  he  asserts,  that  the  Americans  "  evacuated  their  lines 
on  the  morning  of  the  first,  and  retired  across  the  Croton  River, 
to  North  Castle,  setting  fire,  in  their  retreat,  to  all  the  houses  on 
White  Plains."  The  Americans  did  not  quit  their  strong  posi 
tion  at  the  back  of  White  Plains,  until  the  British  had  retreated 
towards  Kingsbridge,  as  far  as  Dobb's  Ferry,  and  had  there  en 
camped,  as  is  fully  shewn  in  these  Memoirs. 


94  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [Nov.i776 

meant  a  movement.  The  American  army  was  im 
mediately  ordered  under  arms.  At  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 
the  enemy  appeared,  formed  on  Chaderton's  Hill, 
and  on  several  hills  to  the  westward  of  it.  Several 
reconnoitring  parties,  who  were  sent  out,  reported 
that  the  enemy  were  withdrawing.  About  12  o'clock, 
this  night,  a  party  of  the  Americans  wantonly  set  fire 
to  the  court-house,  Dr.  Graham's  house,  and  several 
other  private  houses,  which  stood  between  the  two 
armies.  This  gave  great  disgust  to  the  whole  Amer 
ican  army,  and  drew  from  the  Commander  in  Chief 
the  following  paragraph  in  his  orders  of  the  6th: 
"  It  is  with  the  utmost  astonishment  and  abhorrence, 
the  General  is  informed  that  some  base  and  cow 
ardly  wretches  have,  last  night,  set  fire  to  the  court 
house,  and  other  buildings  which  the  enemy  left. 
The  army  may  rely  upon  it  that  they  shall  be  brought 
to  justice,  and  meet  with  the  punishment  they 
deserve." 

The  British  were  moving  down  towards  Dobb's 
Ferry.  A  detachment  from  the  American  army  was 
sent  out  in  the  morning  to  harass  their  rear,  but 
could  not  come  up  with  them. 

7th. — Several  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy: 
they  reported  that  they  were  removing  towards  New 
York.  The  reconnoitring  parties  discovered  them 
encamped  near  Dobb's  Ferry.  They  were  foraging 
grain  and  hay,  and  driving  in  the  cattle.  Two  store- 
ships  had  run  up  past  Fort  Washington. 

8th. — The  enemy  continued  encamped  at  and  be 
low  Dobb's  Ferry.  A  new  disposition  of  the  Amer 
ican  army  was  now  to  take  place.  The  southern 
troops  were  to  cross  over  into  the  Jerseys.  Gen. 
Lee,  with  his  own,  Spencer's,  and  Sullivan's  divi 
sions,  were  to  remain  to  secure  and  bring  off  the 
stores;  and  were  then  to  follow  into  the  Jerseys. 


Nov.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  95 

Our  General  was  ordered  to  march  with  his  division 
to  Peekskill. 

Qth. — The  division  moved  from  near  White  Plains, 
and  the  same  night  halted  at  North  Castle. 

loth. — In  the  afternoon,  the  division  reached 
Peekskill.  Gen.  Washington  arrived  at  the  same 
place  about  sunset.  It  was  this  day  learnt  that 
Gen.  Carleton's  army  in  Canada,  after  pushing  the 
Americans,  in  that  quarter,  from  post  to  post,  until 
they  arrived  at  Ticonderoga,  just  made  their  ap 
pearance  before  that  place,  and  then  retired  towards 
Quebec. 

nth. — The  Commander  in  Chief  directed  our 
General  to  attend  him  in  taking  a  view  of  Fort 
Montgomery,  and  the  other  works  up  the  river. 
Lord  Sterling,  Generals  James  and  George  Clinton, 
Gen.  Mifflin  and  others  were  of  the  company.  They 
went  as  far  up  the  river  as  Constitution  Island,  which 
is  opposite  to  West  Point,  the  latter  of  which  was 
not  then  taken  possession  of;  but  the  glance  of  the 
eye  at  it,  without  going  on  shore,  evinced  that  this 
post  was  not  to  be  neglected.  There  was  a  small 
work  and  a  block-house  on  Constitution  Island. 
Fort  Montgomery  was  in  considerable  forwardness. 

1 2th. — The  Commander  in  Chief  directed  our 
General  to  ride  early  in  the  morning  with  him  to 
reconnoitre  the  grounds  at  the  Gorge  of  the  High 
lands;  and,  on  his  return,  gave  him  the  command 
of  the  troops  and  posts  in  the  Highlands,  on  both 
sides  of  the  river,  with  written  instructions  to  secure 
and  fortify  them  with  all  possible  expedition,  making 
a  distribution  of  his  troops  to  the  different  posts; 
and,  at  about  10  o'clock,  A.M.  Gen.  Washington 
crossed  over  the  river  into  the  Jerseys. 

I3th. — Our  General  made  a  disposition  of  the 
troops  under  his  command  to  their  several  destina- 


96  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  1776 

tions.  Col.  Huntington's  and  Tyler's  regiments,  to 
the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  to  Sidnum's  Bridge  on 
Ramapo  River,  to  cover  the  passes  into  the  High 
lands,  on  that  side:  Prescott's,  Ward's  and  Wyllis's 
regiments,  of  Parsons's  brigade,  (as  were  the  other 
two  regiments)  to  the  south  entrance  of  the  High 
lands,  beyond  Robinson's  Bridge:  Gen.  George 
Clinton's  brigade,  to  the  heights  above  Peekskill 
Landing:  Gen.  Scott's  brigade,  with  the  three  regi 
ments  of  Gen.  Parsons's  brigade:  Gen.  James  Clin 
ton,  with  the  troops  under  his  command,  were  at 
the  forts  up  the  river.  The  British  moved  down 
near  to  Kingsbridge. 

On  the  i6th,  the  British  made  their  attack  on 
Fort  Washington.  Gen.  Knyphausen,  with  a  heavy 
column  of  Hessians,  advanced  by  Kingsbridge. 
They  were  discovered  by  the  Americans,  from  the 
high  grounds  north  of  Fort  Washington,  as  the  day 
broke;  and  cannonaded  from  the  field-pieces  placed 
at  this  advanced  post.  The  Hessian  column  divided 
into  two;  the  right  ascending  the  strong  broken 
ground  towards  Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek;  the  left  nearer 
to  the  road,  towards  the  Gorge.  The  first  obtained 
the  ground  without  much  difficulty;  but  the  Ameri 
cans  made  a  most  noble  opposition  against  the  latter, 
and,  for  a  considerable  time,  kept  them  from  as 
cending  the  hill,  making  a  terrible  slaughter  among 
them;  but  the  great  superiority  of  the  assailants,  with 
an  unabating  firmness,  finally  prevailed:  their  loss 
was  greater  here  than  at  any  other  place.  Mean 
while,  the  British  crossed  Harlem  Creek  in  two 
different  places,  charged,  and  finally  routed  the 
Americans  on  that  side,  and  possessed  themselves 
of  the  strong  post  of  Laurel  Hill,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  road,  from  Fort  Washington,  and  not  very  dis 
tant  from  it;  Lord  Percy  at  the  same  time  advancing, 


Nov.1776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  97 

with  the  troops  under  his  command  on  the  island, 
towards  the  fort  on  that  side.  The  Americans,  now 
generally  driven  from  their  out-works,  retired  to  the 
fort,  which  was  crowded  full.  A  single  shell,  now 
dropping  among  them,  must  have  made  dreadful 
havoc. 

Gen.  Washington  was  now  a  spectator  of  this  dis 
tressing  scene,  from  the  high  bank  at  Fort  Lee,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Hudson;  and  having  a  wish 
to  communicate  something  to  Col.  Magaw,  the  com 
manding  officer  at  Fort  Washington,  Capt.  Gooch  of 
Boston,  a  brave  and  daring  man,  offered  to  be  the 
bearer  of  it.  He  ran  down  to  the  river,  jumped  into 
a  small  boat,  pushed  over  the  river,  landed  under 
the  bank,  ran  up  to  the  fort,  and  delivered  the  mes 
sage — came  out,  ran  and  jumped  over  the  broken 
ground,  dodging  the  Hessians,  some  of  whom  struck 
at  him  with  their  pieces,  and  others  attempted  to 
thrust  him  with  their  bayonets — escaping  through 
them,  he  got  to  his  boat,  and  returned  to  Fort  Lee. 
The  British  had  summoned  Col.  Magaw  to  surrender, 
and  were  preparing  their  batteries  to  play  on  the  fort, 
when  Col.  Magaw  thought  it  best  to  surrender  the 
post,  which  he  did  accordingly,  between  two  and 
three  thousand  men  becoming  prisoners.  The  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded,  on  the  American  side  was 
inconsiderable;  but  the  loss  in  prisoners  was  a  serious 
blow  indeed.  The  prisoners  were  marched  to  New 
York;  where,  being  crowded  in  prisons  and  sugar 
houses,  (many  of  them  being  militia  from  the  Jersey 
flying-camp,  who  had  been  sent  over  to  reinforce  the 
garrison,  and  were  unused  to  a  soldier's  life,  much 
less  to  the  poisonous,  stagnant  air  of  a  crowded 
prison,)  they  fell  sick,  and  daily  died  in  a  most 
shocking  manner.  It  was  common,  on  a  morning, 
for  the  car-men  to  come  and  take  away  the  bodies 


98  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          CNov.i776 

for  burial,  by  loads  ! O  ye  officers  of  the  provost! 

to  whatever  nation  or  people  you  belong,  when  the 
unfortunate  of  your  fellow-men  are  thus  committed 
to  your  charge,  clothe  yourselves  with  humanity, 
and  soothe  distress  as  far  as  in  your  power;  for  by 
this  you  will  secure  a  better  reward  than  your  present 
wages.  And  you  who  have  the  honour  to  command 
armies,  when  your  victories  have  filled  provosts  and 
prisons,  think  it  not  beneath  you  to  visit  the  prisons, 
that  with  your  own  eyes  you  may  see  the  state  of 
your  prisoners:  for  such  visits,  the  great  CAPTAIN 
OF  YOUR  SALVATION  hath  said,  shall  be  considered 
as  made  to  Himself;  while  it  also  gives  you  a  name 
among  men  closely  allied  to  that  of  the  conqueror. 
The  truly  brave  are  always  humane. 

Elated  with  the  easy  reduction  of  Fort  Washing 
ton,  the  British  determined  to  cross  into  the  Jerseys, 
and  attack  Gen.  Washington  on  that  side. 

On  the  1 8th,  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  a  strong  body 
of  the  British  forces,  landed  at  Closter  Landing,  on 
the  Jersey  side,  above  Fort  Lee,  the  garrison  of 
which  were  obliged  to  leave  that  post;  and  some 
cannon,  stores  and  provisions,  which  could  not  be 
removed,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

2Oth. — Just  at  evening,  an  express,  which  our 
General  had  sent  down  to  Gen.  Washington  before 
he  had  any  knowledge  of  what  had  happened,  re 
turned  with  a  most  alarming  account  of  what  he  had 
seen  with  his  own  eyes,  viz.  that  the  Americans  were 
rapidly  retreating,  and  the  British  as  rapidly  pur 
suing.  The  Adjutant-General  [Read]  wished  to  write 
to  Gen.  Lee;  but  he  had  neither  pen,  ink,  nor  paper 
with  him.  The  light-horseman  had  a  rough  piece 
of  wrapping-paper  in  his  pocket,  and  the  Adjutant- 
General  had  an  old  pencil.  Bringing  these  two  to 
gether,  he  wrote  to  Gen.  Lee — "Dear  General,  we 


NOV.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  99 

are  flying  before  the  British.  I  pray"  —and  the 
pencil  broke.  He  then  told  the  light-horseman  to 
carry  the  paper  to  Gen.  Lee,  and  tell  him  that  he 
was  verbally  ordered  to  add,  after  /  pray,  "you  to 
push  and  join  us."  The  light-horseman,  when  he 
arrived  at  our  General's,  was  both  fatigued  and  wet. 
He  requested  that  one  of  his  brother  horsemen  might 
proceed  to  Gen.  Lee;  but  he  was  told  that  no  other 
could  discharge  the  duty  enjoined  on  him  by  the 
Adjutant-General,  and  that  Gen.  Lee  might  wish  to 
make  many  inquiries  of  him.  He  was  therefore  re 
freshed  and  pushed  on.  Gen.  Lee,  instead  of  moving 
his  division,  or  any  part  of  it,  wrote  our  General,  by 
the  returning  express,  the  following  letter: 

CAMP,  Nov.  2ist,  1776. 
"DEAR  GENERAL, 

"I  HAVE  just  received  a  recommendation,  not  a 
positive  order,  from  the  General,  to  move  the  corps 
under  my  command  to  the  other  side  of  the  river. 
This  recommendation  was,  I  imagine,  on  the  pre 
sumption  that  I  had  already  moved  nearer  to  Peeks- 
kill.  There  is  no  possibility  of  crossing  over  Dobb's 
Ferry,  or  at  any  place  lower  than  King's  Ferry,  which 
to  us  would  be  such  an  immense  round  that  we 
could  never  answer  any  purpose.  I  must  therefore 
desire  and  request,  that  you  will  order  2,000  of  your 
corps,  under  a  Brigadier-General,  to  cross  the  river 
opposite  the  General,  and  wait  his  further  orders. 
As  soon  as  we  have  finished  a  necessary  job,  I  will 
replace  this  number  from  hence,  which  job  will,  I 
believe,  be  finished  to-morrow. 

I  am,  dear  General,  yours, 

(Signed)         CHARLES    LEE. 
Gen.  HEATH." 


ioo  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  i776 

Upon  receiving  this  letter  from  Gen.  Lee,  (for 
our  General  did  not  receive  the  least  hint  from  Gen. 
Washington,  to  move  any  part  of  the  troops  under 
his  command,  by  the  express  who  brought  the  order 
to  Lee)  he  took  up  his  instructions  from  Gen.  Wash 
ington,  to  see  if  he  might  dare  to  make  any  detach 
ment;  upon  which  he  wrote  Gen.  Lee  the  following 
answer  to  his  letters: 

PEEKSKILL,  Nov.  2ist,   1776. 

10  o'clock  at  night. 
"DEAR  GENERAL, 

"I  AM  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
favours,  of  this  date,  the  former  of  which  I  had  an 
swered  early  in  the  evening.  With  respect  to  the 
latter,  upon  having  recourse  to  my  instructions,  I 
find  they  are  such  as  not  to  admit  of  moving  any 
part  of  the  troops  from  the  posts  assigned  to  me,  un 
less  it  be  by  express  orders  from  his  Excellency,  or 
to  support  you,  in  case  you  are  attacked.  My  in 
structions,  among  other  things,  are  as  follows: 

"Your  division,  with  such  troops  as  are  now  at 
"Forts  Montgomery,  Independence  and  Constitu 
tion,  are  to  be  under  your  command,  and  remain 
"in  this  quarter,  for  the  security  of  the  above  posts, 
"and  the  passes  through  the  Highlands,  from  this 
"place,  and  the  one  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's 
"  River.  Unnecessary  it  is  for  me  to  say  any  thing 
"to  evince  the  importance  of  securing  the  land  and 
"water  communication  through  these  passes,  or  to 
"prove  the  indispensable  necessity  of  using  every 
"exertion  in  your  power,  to  have  such  works  erected 
"for  the  defence  of  them,  as  your  own  judgment, 
"assisted  by  that  of  your  Brigadiers  and  Engineer, 
"may  shew  the  expediency  of.  You  will  not  only 
"keep  in  view  the  importance  of  securing  these 


NOV.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  101 

"passes,  but  the  necessity  of  doing  it  without  delay: 
"  not  only  from  the  probability  of  the  enemy's  at- 
"  tempting  to  seize  them,  but  from  the  advanced 
"season,  which  will  not  admit  of  any  spade-work, 
"  after  the  frost  (which  may  daily  be  expected)  sets  in. 

"Lose  not  a  moment,  therefore,  in  choosing  the 
"grounds  on  the  east  and  west  side  of  the  river,  on 
"which  your  intended  works  are  to  be  erected.  Let 
"your  men  designed  for  each  post  be  speedily  al 
lotted,"  &c.- 

"  After  instructions  so  positive  and  pressing,  you 
will  readily  agree  that  it  would  be  very  improper,  in 
me,  to  order  any  of  the  troops  from  posts,  to  which 
they  are  so  expressly  assigned,  and  from  business 
which  in  his  Excellency's  view  is  so  very  important. 
Add  to  this,  their  present  disposition  is  such  that  to 
collect  any  thing  near  the  number  you  mention,  would 
occasion  as  great  delay,  and  cause  many  of  them  to 
march  nearly  as  far,  as  if  sent  immediately  from  your 
quarter. 

I  am,  dear  General,  with  esteem, 
Yours  respectfully, 

(Signed)     W.  HEATH. 
GEN.  LEE." 

This  did  not  seem  to  satisfy  Gen.  Lee,  who  wrote 
our  General  the  following: 

CAMP,  Nov.   23  J,    1776. 
"SiR, 

"BY  your  mode  of  reasoning,  the  General's  in 
structions  are  so  binding,  that  not  a  tittle  must  be 
broke  through,  for  the  salvation  of  the  General  and 
the  army.  I  have  ordered  Glover's  brigade  to  march 
up  towards  Peekskill,  to  put  the  passage  of  the 
Highlands  out  of  danger;  but  I  intend  to  take  2,000 
from  your  division  with  me  into  the  Jerseys;  so  I 


102  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [Nov.  1776 

must  desire  that  you  will  have  that  number  in  readi 
ness  by  the  day  after  to-morrow,  when  I  shall  be 
with  you  early  in  the  forenoon; 
And  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)         CHARLES  LEE. 
Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

To  which  our  General  returned  the  following 
answer: 

PEEKSKILL,  Nov.  24^,  1776. 
"Sm, 

"  BE  my  mode  of  reasoning  as  it  may,  I  conceive 
it  to  be  my  duty  to  obey  my  instructions,  especially 
those  which  are  positive  and  poignant,  and  that  to 
deviate  from  them  even  in  extreme  cases,  would  be 
an  error;  though  perhaps  an  error  on  the  right  side. 
"I  can  assure  you,  Sir,  that  I  have  the  salvation 
of  the  General  and  army  so  much  at  heart  that  the 
least  recommendation  from  him,  to  march  my  di 
vision,  or  any  part  of  them,  over  the  river,  should 
have  been  instantly  obeyed,  without  waiting  for  a 
positive  order. 

"My  conduct  must  be  approved  or  censured,  as 
I  adhere  to,  or  depart  from,  my  orders;  and,  as  it  is 
my  duty,  I  shall  strictly  abide  by  them,  until  they 
are  countermanded  in  such  manner  as  will  justify 
a  deviation  from  them  to  him  who  instructed  me, 
and  to  the  world. 

"I  shall  be  happy  in  being  honoured  with  your 
company  to-morrow; 

And  am,  with  respect  and  esteem, 
Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

(Signed)     W.  HEATH. 
Gen.  LEE." 


NOV.  i776]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  103 

After  the  foregoing  was  sent  off,  our  General  re 
flected  for  a  moment,  that  as  circumstances  alter 
cases,  Gen.  Washington  being  now  pressed,  and  the 
army  with  him  but  feeble,  he  might  possibly  wish 
for  some  aid  from  his  division.  He  therefore  sat 
down  and  wrote  him  a  short  letter,  stating  in  what 
manner  he  had  disposed  of  the  troops  under  his  com 
mand,  and  wishing  to  know  his  pleasure  whether 
any  part  of  them  should  join  him;  enclosing  copies 
of  the  letters  he  had  received  from  Gen.  Lee,  and  of 
his  answers.  The  express  was  directed  to  make  the 
utmost  dispatch  out  and  returning,  which  he  effected 
on  the  26th,  (several  days  before  Gen.  Lee  got  up  to 
Peekskill)  bringing  with  him  the  following  letter 
from  Secretary  Harrison: 

NEWARK,  Nov.  2^tb9  1776. 
"DEAR  GENERAL, 

"  I  AM  directed  by  his  Excellency  to  acknowledge 
his  receipt  of  your  letter  of  yesterday,  and  to  inform 
you  the  disposition  of  the  troops,  mentioned  in  your 
former  letter,  has  his  approbation. 

"  In  respect  to  the  troops  intended  to  come  to  this 
quarter,  his  Excellency  never  meant  that  they  should 
be  from  your  division.  He  has  wrote  Gen.  Lee, 
since,  so  fully  and  explicitly  upon  the  subject  that 
any  misapprehensions  he  may  have  been  under  at 
first,  must  be  now  done  away.  He  will  most  prob 
ably  have  reached  Peekskill  before  now,  with  his 
division,  and  be  pushing  to  join  us.  No  new  event 
has  taken  place. 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)    R.  H.  HARRISON. 
Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 


104  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [Nov.i776 

2ist. — A  heavy  cannonade  was  heard  towards 
Amboy. 

22d. — Col.  Tupper,  who  was  down  near  Tappan, 
got  up  to  King's  Ferry.  He  brought  off  the  two  12 
pounders  which  were  at  Dobb's  Ferry,  and  a  quan 
tity  of  provisions.  The  same  evening,  our  General 
ordered  the  Washington  Galley  to  take  station  at 
King's  Ferry. 

24th. — Our  General  gave  orders  for  Clinton's  and 
Scott's  brigades  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
march  to  the  Jersey  side. 

25th. — Scott's  brigade  was  ordered  over  to  Haver- 
straw,  and  Col.  Tyler's  regiment,  then  at  Rama- 
po  River,  to  march  down  to  Tappan,  to  secure 
and  bring  off  the  provisions  which  were  at  that  place. 

2yth. — Capt.  Treadwell,  of  the  artillery,  with  a 
three-pounder,  was  ordered  to  move  over  the  river, 
and  join  Gen.  Scott's  brigade.  It  was  learnt  that 
many  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey,  especially  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Hackensack,  were  swearing  al 
legiance  to  King  George,  taking  letters  of  protec 
tion,  &c. 

28th. — Mr.  Livingston  came  from  Congress  to 
advise  with  our  General  on  measures  to  obstruct  the 
river.  The  same  day,  Capt.  Harrod  brought  off 
from  Tappan  a  considerable  quantity  of  pearl-ash, 
bees-wax,  oil,  &c. 

2Qth. — Two  of  the  regiments  of  Gen.  Clinton's 
brigade  were  ordered  to  move  to  Fort  Constitution, 
in  order  to  attempt  the  forming  of  obstructions  in 
the  river  near  Polipins  Island. 

3Oth. — Just  before  dinner,  Gen.  Sullivan  arrived 
at  our  General's  quarters;  and  in  the  afternoon  Gen. 
Lee  arrived.  He  called  at  the  door;  when  our  Gen 
eral  waiting  upon  him,  requested  him  to  alight;  he 
asked  if  he  could  have  a  cup  of  tea,  and  was  an- 


Nov.i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  105 

swered  that  he  should  have  a  good  one.  Upon  com 
ing  into  the  house,  before  he  sat  down,  he  wished  to 
speak  in  private,  which  being  instantly  granted,  he 
told  our  General,  that  in  a  military  view,  or,  to  use 
his  own  words  exactly,  "In  point  of  law,  you  are 
right;  but  in  point  of  policy,  I  think  you  are  wrong. 
I  am  going  into  the  Jerseys  for  the  salvation  of  Amer 
ica;  I  wish  to  take  with  me  a  larger  force  than  I  now 
have,  and  request  you  to  order  2,000  of  your  men 
to  march  with  me."  Our  General  answered  that 
he  could  not  spare  that  number.  He  was  then  asked 
to  order  1,000;  to  which  he  replied  that  the  business 
might  be  as  well  brought  to  a  point  at  once — that 
not  a  single  man  should  march  from  the  post  by  bis 
order.  Gen.  Lee  replied,  that  he  would  then  order 
them  himself.  He  was  answered  that  there  was  a 
wide  difference  between  the  two;  that  Gen.  Lee  was 
acknowledged  by  our  General  to  be  his  senior;  but, 
as  he  had  received  positive  written  instructions  from 
him  who  was  superior  to  both,  he  would  not  himself 
break  those  orders:  If  Gen.  Lee  was  disposed  to 
counteract  them,  its  being  done  by  him  could  not  be 
imputed  to  any  other  person;  and  that  he  knew  the 
Commander  in  Chief  did  not  intend  any  of  the  troops 
should  be  removed  from  that  post — having  expressed 
it  not  only  in  his  instructions,  but  also  in  a  letter 
just  received  from  him.  On  the  letter  being  shewn 
to  Gen.  Lee,  he  observed,  "The  Commander  in 
Chief  is  now  at  a  distance,  and  does  not  know  what 
is  necessary  here  so  well  as  I  do" — asked  if  he  might 
be  favoured  with  the  return-book  of  the  division. 
Major  Huntington,  the  Deputy  Adjutant-General, 
was  directed  to  hand  it.  Gen.  Lee  ran  his  eye  over 
it,  and  said,  "  I  will  take  Prescott's  and  Wyllis's 
regiments" — and  turning  to  Major  Huntington,  said, 
"You  will  order  those  two  regiments  to  march  early 


io6  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1776 

to-morrow  morning  to  join  me."  Our  General, 
turning  to  the  Major,  said,  "Issue  such  orders  at 
your  peril!"  and  then  turning  to  Gen.  Lee,  addressed 
him:  "Sir,  if  you  come  to  this  post,  and  mean  to  issue 
orders  here,  which  will  break  those  positive  ones 
which  I  have  received,  I  pray  you  to  do  it  completely 
yourself,  and  through  your  own  Deputy  Adjutant- 
General,  who  is  present,  and  not  draw  me,  or  any  of 
my  family,  in  as  partners  in  the  guilt."  Gen.  Lee 
replied,  "It  is  right.  Col.  Scammel,  do  you  issue 
the  order;"  which  he  did,  and  Huntington  commu 
nicated  it  to  the  regiments,  who  were  now  posted  at 
the  Gorge  of  the  mountains,  near  Robinson's  Bridge, 
afterwards  called  the  Continental  Village.  Matters 
carried  thus  far,  our  General  turned  to  Gen.  Lee 
again:  "Sir,  I  have  one  more  request  to  make,  and 
that  is,  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  me  a  certifi 
cate,  that  you  exercise  command  at  this  post,  and  do 
order  from  it  Prescott's  and  Wyllis's  regiments."  Lee 
replied,  "I  do  not  know  that  I  will  comply  with 
your  request."  Gen.  Clinton,  who  was  present, 
observed,  "Gen.  Lee,  you  cannot  refuse  a  request 
so  reasonable."  Upon  which  Gen.  Lee  wrote  as 
follows : 

PEEKSKILL,  Dec.  ist,  1776. 

"FOR  the  satisfaction  of  Gen.  Heath,  and  at  his 
request,  I  do  certify,  that  I  am  commanding  officer, 
at  this  present  writing,  in  this  post,  and  that  I  have, 
in  that  capacity,  ordered  Prescott's  and  Wyllis's  reg 
iments  to  march. 

(Signed)      CHARLES  LEE,  Maj.  Gen." 

Gen.  Lee,  stepping  out  on  the  piazza,  observed  to 
an  officer,  "Gen.  Heath  is  right."  Early  the  next 
morning,  the  regiments  moved  from  their  canton 
ment  towards  Peekskill ;  but  before  they  had 


DEC.  i776]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  107 

reached  it,  Gen.  Lee,  now  ready  to  pass  into  the 
Jerseys,  rode  up  to  our  General's  door,  and  calling 
him,  observed,  "Upon  further  consideration,  I  have 
concluded  not  to  take  the  two  regiments  with  me — 
you  may  order  them  to  return  to  their  former  post." 
This  conduct  of  Gen.  Lee's  appeared  not  a  little 
extraordinary,  and  one  is  almost  at  a  loss  to  account 
for  it.  He  had  been  a  soldier  from  his  youth,  had 
a  perfect  knowledge  of  service  in  all  its  branches,  but 
was  rather  obstinate  in  his  temper,  and  could  scarcely 
brook  being  crossed  in  any  thing  in  the  line  of  his 
profession.  Gen.  Lee  took  with  him  into  the  Jerseys 
some  as  good  troops  as  any  in  the  service;  but  many 
of  them  were  so  destitute  of  shoes  that  the  blood 
left  on  the  rugged  frozen  ground,  in  many  places, 
marked  the  route  they  had  taken;  and  a  considerable 
number,  unable  to  march,  were  left  at  Peekskill. 
The  time  of  service  for  which  Gen.  Scott's  brigade 
was  engaged  to  serve  expired,  when  the  whole,  ex 
cept  about  50,  went  home,  notwithstanding  the  gen 
erous  encouragement  offered  them  by  their  State, 
(New  York)  if  they  would  continue  one  month 
longer. 

2d  and  3d. — Gen.  Lee's  troops  were  passing  the 
ferry.  Gen.  Carleton  having  returned  into  Canada, 
a  number  of  Gen.  Gates's  regiments  were  now  mov 
ing  to  reinforce  Gen.  Washington — their  van  as  far 
as  Morristown —  the  enemy  as  far  as  Brunswick. 

6th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  on  the  4th, 
about  sunset,  70  sail  of  ships  of  war  and  transports, 
passed  in  the  Sound  towards  New  England.  Our 
General  immediately  sent  off  expresses  to  Gen. 
Washington,  Gov.  Trumbull,  Mr.  Bowdoin,  at  Bos 
ton,  the  Convention  of  New  York,  &c. 

7th. — Three  regiments,  viz.  Greaton's,  Bond's, 
and  Porter's,  arrived  off  the  landing  from  Albany, 


io8"  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1776 

on  their  way  to  Gen.  Washington.  Matters  now 
looked  serious  in  Jersey.  The  British  were  extend 
ing  themselves  in  all  directions,  and  the  inhabitants 
obliged  to  become  passive,  if  not  worse.  Gen.  Gates 
had  ordered  the  troops,  moving  from  the  northward, 
to  rendezvous  at  Goshen. 

8th. — Our  General  wrote  Gen.  Lee  that  the 
troops  were  moving  on  from  the  northward,  and,  as 
Gen.  Gates  had  not  yet  overtaken  them,  some  of  the 
commanding-officers  appeared  to  wish  for  orders  how 
to  proceed.  Gen.  Washington,  it  was  said,  was  as 
far  as  Trenton — Lee,  the  preceding  night,  as  far  as 
Pompton.  A  flag  schooner  came  up  from  New 
York,  to  obtain  leave  for  some  families  to  go  in. 
A  Parson  Inglis  was  on  board.  Orders  were  given 
to  treat  the  flag  with  politeness,  and  at  the  same 
time  with  proper  precaution;  and  the  business  was 
laid  before  the  Convention  of  the  State. 

The  same  day,  Gen.  Clinton,  with  two  British 
and  two  Hessian  brigades,  with  a  squadron  of  ships 
under  the  command  of  Sir  Peter  Parker,  took  pos 
session  of  Rhode  Island,  without  the  loss  of  a  man; 
the  Americans  quitting  the  island  without  making 
any  opposition.  Rhode  Island  was  a  great  acquisi 
tion  to  the  British,  for  quarters,  forage,  and  a  safe 
harbour;  but  lessened  their  ability  for  other  more 
important  operations  in  the  field. 

On  the  evening  of  the  Qth,  our  General  received 
orders  from  the  Commander  in  Chief,  to  move  over 
the  Hudson  with  Parsons's  brigade,  and  to  move  on 
so  as  to  give  protection  to  the  country,  and  vigour 
to  the  cause  in  Jersey. 

loth. — A  little  after  noon,  Parsons's  brigade 
marched  down  to  King's  Ferry;  the  greatest  alert 
ness  having  been  discovered  by  both  officers  and 
men  on  the  occasion. 


DEC.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  109 

nth. — About  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  our  General 
left  Peekskill,  and  proceeded  for  the  Jerseys;  on 
crossing  King's  Ferry,  gave  orders  for  the  flag  to  be 
detained  from  returning  until  further  orders.  The 
troops  crossed  the  ferry,  and  marched  as  far  as  Col. 
Hays'  at  Haverstraw.  Huntington's  and  Tyler's 
regiments  were  ordered  to  advance  from  Rama- 
po  Bridge  to  Paramus.  Our  General  received  a 
letter  from  Gen.  Lee,  in  answer  to  the  one  he  wrote 
on  the  8th  from  Peekskill,  as  follows: 

CHATHAM,  Dec.  gth,  1776. 
"DEAR  GENERAL, 

"I  AM  very  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  wel 
come  tidings;  and  have  only  to  beg,  that  you  will 
direct  the  regiments  you  speak  of  to  march  without 
loss  of  time  to  Morristown.  I  sent  an  express  to  you 
last  night,  from  the  General,  ordering  your  division 
over  the  river,  which  I  confess,  for  my  own  part,  I 
am  heartily  sorry  for;  as  I  think  we  shall  be  strong 
enough  without  you,  and  New  England,  with  your 
district,  will  be  too  bare  of  troops.  I  am  in  hopes 
here  to  re-conquer  (if  I  may  so  express  myself)  the 
Jerseys.  It  was  really  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy 
before  my  arrival. 

Adieu,  dear  Sir, 

(Signed)     CHARLES  LEE. 
Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

The  foregoing  letter  appears  very  different  from 
the  former  ones. 

1 2th. — Early  in  the  morning,  the  troops  took  up 
their  line  of  march  from  Haverstraw,  and  before 
sunset  reached  Tappan. 

1 3th. — Sent  out  a  reconnoitring  party  towards 
Hackensack  to  get  intelligence,  &c.  This  day,  Gen. 


1 10  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1776 

Lee  was  taken  prisoner,  near  Chatham,  by  a  party  of 
light-horse,  commanded  by  Col.  Harcourt.  Lee  took 
quarters  at  a  small  distance  from  his  troops:  an  in 
habitant  gave  notice  of  it  to  Col.  Harcourt,  who  was 
out  reconnoitring  near  that  neighborhood,  and  who 
had  the  address  to  take  and  carry  him  off. 

I4th. — Our  General  held  up  every  appearance  of 
moving  to  Paramus,  and  sent  off  his  baggage  under 
escort  to  that  place;  and  between  n  and  12  o'clock, 
marched  briskly  for  Hackensack,  having  sent  orders 
for  Huntington's  and  Tyler's  regiments  to  move  from 
Paramus  at  the  same  time.  Buskirk's  regiment  was 
at  Hackensack  Bridge  the  preceding  day,  where  they 
did  duty,  and  it  was  expected  they  were  still  at  the 
same  place.  To  surprise  and  take  them  was  the 
object;  but  it  was  found  that  Buskirk's  men  had 
moved  the  preceding  day  to  Bergen,  in  order  to 
draw  new  arms.  The  town  was  completely  sur 
prised,  not  having  an  idea  that  any  but  British  troops 
were  near  them.  One  British  soldier  and  20  or  30 
of  their  adherents,  were  taken,  a  number  of  arms, 
&c.  and  at  the  wharf,  several  vessels  loaded  with 
hay,  &c.  on  the  point  of  sailing  for  New  York.  A 
brig  had  come  to  sail  in  the  morning,  and  run  some 
distance  down  the  river,  and  came  to  anchor.  An 
officer  with  a  party  was  sent  down  to  take  her,  and 
bring  her  up;  but  the  wind  was  so  strong  ahead  that 
it  could  not  be  effected.  The  officer  was  then  di 
rected  to  destroy  the  vessel,  as  she  had  a  large  quan 
tity  of  forage  on  board,  destined  for  New  York; 
but  it  was  said  there  were  some  valuable  articles  on 
board,  which  might  be  taken  out  and  brought  up  in 
the  boats.  The  orders  were  varied  accordingly, 
with  directions,  that  in  case  the  enemy  advanced  be 
fore  the  business  was  completed,  to  set  the  brig  on 
fire.  The  boats  brought  up  one  load;  but  on  re- 


DEC.I776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  in 

turning  to  the  brig,  they  discovered  a  body  of  the 
enemy  advancing,  when  the  brig  was  abandoned 
without  being  set  on  fire.  The  enemy  immediately 
took  possession  of  her.  Among  the  articles  taken 
out,  was  a  large  chest  of  plate.  This  was  conveyed 
to  Peekskill,  and  delivered  to  the  Deputy  Quarter- 
Master-General;  and  when  the  British  afterwards 
destroyed  the  public  stores  at  that  place,  the  chest  of 
plate  was  removed  by  the  Quarter-Master  into  Con 
necticut;  where  afterwards  Gen.  Parsons,  in  behalf 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  division,  filed  a  libel 
in  the  Maritime  Court,  and  the  officer  who  boarded 
the  vessel,  filed  one  in  his  own  behalf.  On  trial,  the 
Court  adjudged  the  plate  to  the  latter,  although  he 
boarded  the  vessel  in  obedience  to  express  orders. 
About  100  barrels  of  flour,  which  had  been  aban 
doned  by  the  Americans,  when  they  retreated  before 
Lord  Cornwallis,  were  recovered  and  sent  off;  and 
about  100  arms  were  also  secured,  with  a  quantity 
of  rum,  gin,  &c.  In  the  evening,  as  two  or  three 
American  officers  were  walking  along  the  street,  a 
gentleman,  who  was  an  inhabitant,  came  up  to  them, 
and  expressed  his  joy  on  the  arrival  of  the  troops, 
(supposing  they  were  British).  The  officers  imme 
diately  conducted  him  to  our  General,  and  on  en 
tering  the  room  informed  him  that  they  came  to 
introduce  a  friend  who  had  joined  them  in  the  street, 
and  who  was  able  to  give  some  important  informa 
tion.  Our  General  expressed  a  high  satisfaction, 
and  wished  to  know  what  information  he  could  give. 
He  replied  that  he  heard  there  was  a  large  body  of 
rebels  collecting  up  above  them.  He  was  asked  if, 
in  case  these  rebels  should  advance,  any  assistance 
could  be  afforded  by  the  people  of  the  town,  and 
whether  they  could  be  depended  on  ?  He  answered, 
there  were  a  considerable  number,  and  that  they 


ii2  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1776 

might  be  depended  on.  He  was  asked  whether 
there  was  not  a  number  in  the  town  who  were  in 
favour  of  the  rebels  ?  He  answered,  that  there  was; 
but  that  they  had  seized  and  sent  off  the  principal 
ones  among  them,  and  that  now  the  others  dared  not 
shew  themselves.  The  joke  was  thus  going  on,  when 
Col.  Prescott,  who  stood  near  him,  holding  his  hat  in 
his  hand,  in  which  there  was  a  red  cockade,  (at  that 
time  a  mark  of  the  distinction  of  rank)  the  gentle 
man  fixed  his  eye  upon  it,  and  his  countenance  im 
mediately  fell.  He  was  then  told  that  those  whom 
he  termed  rebels  were  now  in  possession  of  the  place, 
and  had  now  received  his  information.  He  was  or 
dered  into  custody. 

1 5th. — All  the  wagons  in  the  vicinity  were  col 
lected,  and  the  flour  and  other  stores  moved  off  to 
Paramus.  Reconnoitring  parties  were  sent  out  to  a 
distance  to  observe  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 

1 6th. — The  effects  were  generally  removed,  and 
about  noon  the  reconnoitring  parties  reported  that 
the  enemy  were  advancing  on  both  sides  of  the  place. 
They  were  soon  after  discovered  by  the  guard  at 
Acquackanuck  Bridge.  A  little  before  sunset,  the 
troops  left  the  town.  A  strong  rear-guard  was  or 
dered  to  remain  on  the  high  ground  back  of  the 
town,  until  after  dark,  to  light  up  a  number  of  fires, 
and  then  to  move  on  after  the  troops.  Just  before 
the  division  left  the  town,  Gen.  George  Clinton, 
attended  by  some  light-horse,  joined  the  division. 

I  yth. — Reconnoitring  parties  were  sent  out  on  all 
the  roads. 

1 8th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  some  of  the 
Jersey  militia  had  had  a  skirmish  with  a  body  of 
British  troops  under  Gen.  Leslie,  near  Springfield. 
Both  parties  retired.  Of  the  militia,  several  were 
killed  and  wounded. 


DEC.  i776]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  113 

The  Convention  of  New  York,  greatly  alarmed  at 
the  removal  of  our  General  with  the  Continental 
troops,  from  the  important  passes  of  the  Highlands, 
sent  a  request  to  Gen.  Washington,  desiring  that 
they  might  be  ordered  back  again.  To  insure  dis 
patch,  they  offered  the  express  extra  pay.  The 
Commander  in  Chief  was  pleased  to  grant  their  re 
quest,  and  ordered  our  General  to  return  to  Peeks- 
kill,  and  re-occupy  his  former  positions. 

Our  General,  having  received  certain  information 
that  Buskirk's  regiment  was  at  or  near  Bergen 
Woods,  it  was  determined  to  strike  them.  For  this 
purpose,  on  the  evening  of  the  iQth,  about  8  o'clock, 
Gen.  Parsons,  with  250  Continental  troops,  and  Gen. 
Clinton,  with  a  like  number  of  the  militia  of  New 
York,  marched  from  Paramus  church,  and  a  cover 
ing  party  of  300  men  was  ordered  to  Tappan. 

About  i  o'clock,  the  next  morning,  the  detach 
ment  reached  Bergen,  and  completely  surprised  the 
enemy's  guard,  making  22  men  prisoners.  The  reg 
iment  was  alarmed,  and  a  pretty  brisk  skirmish  en 
sued.  The  enemy  were  collecting,  and  it  was  judged 
best  for  the  detachment  to  come  off,  having  been  so 
far  victorious. 

20th. — About  I  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  detachment  re 
turned  to  Paramus,  having,  in  the  short  interval  of 
time,  marched  (out  and  returning)  upwards  of  40 
miles.  They  brought  back  with  them,  besides  their 
prisoners,  16  new  fire-locks,  6  horses,  and  one  wag 
on;  having  sustained  the  loss  of  one  man.  The 
enemy  were  supposed  to  have  had  several  killed. 

2 1 st. — Orders  were  given  for  the  troops  to  be 
ready  to  march  early  the  next  morning.  The  gen 
tleman  who  was  taken  into  custody  at  Hackensack 
chagrined  almost  to  death,  had  been  spending  his 
time,  like  April,  in  weeping  and  lowering;  and  much 


ii4  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEc.i776 

intercession  having  been  made  for  his  release,  our 
General  told  him,  that  in  case  he  would  faithfully 
perform  a  piece  of  secret  service  allotted  to  him  he 
should  be  released.  This  he  performed  with  punct 
uality,  and  consequently  was  set  at  liberty. 

22d. — The  troops  marched  from  Paramus  round 
by  the  side  of  Kakaat,  to  Clarkstown,  which  they 
reached  about  sunset. 

23d. — The  troops  took  up  their  line  of  march, 
crossed  the  Hudson,  and  arrived  at  Peekskill. 

24th. — Gave  permission  for  the  flag  to  return  to 
New  York,  having  on  board  the  families  of  Mr. 
Inglis,  Moore,  &c.* 

25th. — It  was  learnt  that  a  body  of  Hessian  troops 
had  not  long  before  moved  to  the  upper  end  of 
York  Island.  The  militia  of  the  State  of  New  York 
were  this  day  beginning  to  come  in. 

26th. — A  severe  snow-storm.  Some  of  the  militia 
from  Massachusetts  had  reached  Danbury. 

29th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Providence, 
that  a  most  valuable  prize,  taken  by  the  ship  Alfred, 
had  arrived  safe  at  Bedford,  in  Massachusetts. 

3Oth. — Col.  Chester,  of  Connecticut,  arrived  at 
Peekskill,  from  Gen.  Washington's  camp,  with 
the  agreeable  news,  that  on  the  preceding  Thursday 
morning,  being  the  26th,  Gen.  Washington,  at  the 
head  of  about  3,000  men,  crossed  the  Delaware,  and 
attacked  the  enemy  at  Trenton,  being  about  1,600 
Hessians;  and  in  about  35  minutes  entirely  defeated 
them.  One  Colonel,  2  Lieutenant-Colonels,  3  Ma 
jors,  4  Captains,  8  Lieutenants,  12  Ensigns,  I  Judge 
Advocate,  2  Surgeon's  Mates,  92  Sergeants,  20  Drum 
mers,  9  Musicians,  25  Officers'  servants,  and  740 
rank  and  file  were  taken  prisoners,  besides  the  killed 
and  wounded.  Six  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  12  drums, 

*  See  Appendix  XIV. 


jAN.1777-1          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  115 

4  standards,  1200  small-arms,  6  wagons,  a  number 
of  swords,  caps,  &c.  were  the  trophies  of  victory. 
The  same  day,  Colonel  Sparhawk's  regiment  of 
militia  arrived  from  Massachusetts. 

3 1 st. — Information  was  given  that  a  company  of 
60  disaffected  inhabitants  were  on  their  way  to  join 
the  enemy.  Parties  were  sent  out  to  intercept  them. 

I777-  January  1st. — By  a  letter  from  General 
Washington,  it  appeared  that  the  enemy  were  re 
treating  towards  Amboy.  Generals  Mifflin  and 
Ewing,  and  Col.  Cadwallader  had  crossed  the  Dela 
ware,  and  Gen.  Washington  was  about  to  follow 
them,  and  pursue  the  enemy. 

2d. — Several  infamous  disaffected  persons  were 
taken  and  sent  in.  The  same  day,  Gen.  Washington 
being  at  Trenton,  Gen.  Howe  advanced  to  attack 
him;  a  cannonade  ensued:  Gen.  Washington  retired 
to  the  other  side  of  the  Mill  Creek;  and,  as  soon  as  it 
was  dark,  ordering  a  great  number  of  fires  to  be 
lighted  up,  to  deceive  the  enemy,  stole  a  march,  and 
at  9  o'clock  next  morning  attacked  three  regiments 
of  the  enemy,  who  were  posted  at  Princeton,  routed 
them,  driving  them  from  two  small  redoubts.  The 
enemy  lost,  in  killed,  wounded  and  taken  prisoners 
about  500.  The  American  loss  was  inconsiderable, 
except  in  the  brave  Gen.  Mercer,  of  Virginia,  who 
fell  in  this  action,  greatly  regretted.  In  this  manoeu 
vre  and  action  Gen.  Washington  exhibited  the  most 
consummate  generalship,  and  the  British  were  struck 
with  consternation.  Ambuscade,  surprise  and  strat 
agem  are  said  to  constitute  the  sublime  part  of  the 
art  of  war,  and  that  he  who  possesses  the  greatest 
resource  in  these  will  eventually  pluck  the  laurel 
from  the  brow  of  his  opponent.  The  stratagems  of 
war  are  almost  infinite,  but  all  have  the  same  object, 
namely,  to  deceive — to  hold  up  an  appearance  of 


ii6  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          QAN.  i777 

something  which  is  not  intended,  while  under  this 
mask  some  important  object  is  secured;  and  be  a 
General  never  so  brave,  if  he  be  unskilled  in  the  arts 
and  stratagems  of  war,  he  is  really  to  be  pitied;  for 
his  bravery  will  but  serve  to  lead  him  into  those 
wily  snares  which  are  laid  for  him. 

3d. — Thirty-seven  recruits  going  to  Rogers,  taken 
the  preceding  night,  were  brought  in;  and  our  Gen 
eral  ordered  out  Capt.  Graham  at  12  o'clock  at  night 
to  intercept  another  gang. 

4th. — Gen.  Lincoln  arrived  from  Massachusetts; 
he  had  come  on  with  a  body  of  militia. 

5th  — It  was  learnt  that  on  the  ist  inst.  Gen.  Put 
nam  took  a  large  quantity  of  baggage,  provisions,  &c. 
at  Bordentown;  and  on  the  3d,  Gen.  Washington's 
army  came  up  with  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  at  or  near 
Rocky  Hill,  when  a  brisk  action  ensued,  and  the 
enemy  were  defeated,  with  the  loss  of  between  50 
and  60  killed,  and  upwards  of  100  taken  prisoners, 
together  with  6  pieces  of  cannon,  and  all  their  bag 
gage:  the  Americans  had  6  men  killed.  The  same 
day,  Col.  Sparhawk's  regiments  of  militia,  from 
Massachusetts,  with  two  field-pieces,  marched  for 
King's  Ferry,  on  their  way  to  the  Jerseys. 

7th. — Our  General  received  the  following  letter 
from  Gen.  Washington: 

PLUCKEMIN,  Jan.  $th,  1777. 
"  SIR, 

"WE  have  made  a  successful  attack  upon  Prince 
ton.  General  Howe  advanced  upon  Trenton;  we 
evacuated  the  town,  and  lay  at  the  other  side  of  the 
Mill  Creek,  until  dark;  then  stole  a  march  and  at 
tacked  Princeton  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
There  were  three  regiments  quartered  there.  The 
killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners  taken  amounted  to 


JAN.  i777l  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  117 

about  500.  The  enemy  are  in  great  consternation; 
and  as  the  present  affords  us  a  favourable  opportu 
nity  to  drive  them  out  of  the  Jerseys,  it  has  been  de 
termined  in  Council,  that  you  should  move  down 
towards  New  York  with  a  considerable  force,  as  if 
you  had  a  design  upon  the  city;  that  being  an  object 
of  great  importance,  the  enemy  will  be  reduced  to  the 
necessity  of  withdrawing  a  considerable  part  of  their 
force  from  the  Jerseys,  if  not  the  whole,  to  secure  the 
city.  I  shall  draw  the  force  on  this  side  the  North 
River  together  at  Morristown,  where  I  shall  watch 
the  motions  of  the  enemy,  and  avail  myself  of  every 
circumstance.  You  will  retain  4,000  of  the  militia, 
coming  on  from  the  New  England  Governments  for 
the  expedition.  You  will  act  with  great  precaution, 
but  avail  yourself  of  every  favourable  opportunity 
of  attacking  the  enemy,  when  you  can  do  it  to 
advantage. 

"Gen.  Lincoln  must  cross  the  North  River,  and 
come  on  with  the  remainder  of  the  militia  to  Mor 
ristown.  Leave  a  sufficient  guard  at  the  Highlands. 

"You  will  also  have  as  many  boats  collected  to 
gether,  or  in  such  a  manner  as  you  may  always  avail 
yourself  of  them,  if  it  should  be  found  expedient 
for  your  troops  or  any  part  of  them  to  cross  the 
North  River,  at  Dobb's  Ferry,  or  any  other  of  the 
landings. 

I  am,  &c. 

(Signed)     GEO.  WASHINGTON. 
Gen.  HEATH." 

Preparations  for  the  before  mentioned  movement 
were  immediately  put  in  train.  The  militia  and 
volunteers  were  coming  in. 

8th. — Gen.  Parsons  went  down  to  King-street. 

9th. — The  remainder  of  Col.  Sparhawk's  and  Col. 


ii8  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [JAN.  i777 

Whitney's  regiments  passed  over  the  river,  to  join 
Gen.  Washington. 

loth. — Col.  Frost's  regiment  marched  to  North 
Castle,  and  Gen.  Scott's  militia  to  White  Plains. 

nth. — A  number  of  British  officers,  taken  at 
Princeton,  passed  Peekskill,  on  their  way  to  Con 
necticut.  The  same  day  it  was  learnt,  that  on  the 
8th,  Gen.  Maxwell,  with  the  Jersey  militia,  and 
some  Continental  troops,  routed  the  enemy  at  Eliz- 
abethtown,  where  he  took  50  Highlanders,  a 
schooner  loaded  with  baggage,  and  fell  in  with 
a  party  of  30  Waldeckers,  whom  he  also  took 
prisoners. 

1 2th. — Gen.  Moulton  from  Massachusetts,  and 
Col.  Gilman  from  New  Hampshire,  came  to  camp. 
A  number  of  British  prisoners,  taken  in  the  Jerseys, 
passed  Peekskill,  on  their  way  to  Connecticut. 

I3th. — Our  General  moved  to  the  southward,  and 
reached  North  Castle  just  before  sunset,  where  he 
found  part  of  four  regiments  had  arrived,  and  Gen. 
Scott's  militia  of  New  York  had  moved  down  to 
Wright's  Mills. 

I4th. — Our  General  moved  to  King-street  to  Mr. 
Clapp's — about  3,000  militia  had  arrived,  and  Gen. 
Lincoln's  division  marched  to  Tarrytown  on  this 
day.  The  Commander  in  Chief,  in  another  letter 
had  intimated  that  Gen.  Lincoln,  instead  of  moving 
on  to  join  him,  should  stay  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Hudson,  and  join  in  the  expedition. 

1 5th. — The  Connecticut  volunteers  marched  from 
King-street  to  New  Rochelle,  and  Gen.  Scott's  bri 
gade  to  Stephen  Ward's.  Plenty  of  provisions  were 
arriving.  A  deserter  came  in  from  the  enemy,  and 
gave  an  account  of  their  situation  and  numbers. 

i  yth. — At  night  the  three  divisions  began  to  move 
towards  Kingsbridge;  Gen.  Lincoln's,  from  Tarry- 


JAN.  17771        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  119 

town,  on  the  Albany  road;  Generals  Wooster  and 
Parsons's,  from  New  Rochelle  and  East  Chester,  and 
Gen.  Scott's  in  the  centre  from  below  White  Plains. 
The  several  distances  and  rate  of  marching  were  so 
well  calculated,  that,  on  the  i8th,  just  before  sun 
rise,  the  three  divisions,  although  so  far  apart,  ar 
rived  at  the  out-posts  of  the  enemy  almost  at  the 
same  instant.  Gen.  Lincoln's  on  the  heights  above 
Col.  Van  Cortland's;  Wooster's  at  Williams's;  and 
Scott's  on  the  back  of  Valentine's.  Our  General, 
who  moved  with  the  centre  division,  knew  that  Val 
entine's  house  was  the  quarters  of  one  of  the  guards; 
he  did  not  know  but  it  might  be  defended;  as  he 
approached  it,  he  ordered  Capt.  Lieut.  Bryant  to 
advance  a  field-piece  to  the  advance-guard,  and  if 
there  was  any  opposition  from  the  house,  to  cannon 
ade  it  immediately.  He  then  ordered  250  men  from 
the  head  of  the  column  (as  it  was  moving  on)  to  in 
cline  to  the  right,  and  by  a  double  step  to  push  into 
the  hollow,  between  the  house  and  the  fort,  to  cut  off 
the  guard  who  were  at  the  house,  in  case  they  should 
run  towards  the  latter.  At  this  instant,  two  light- 
horsemen  who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  enemy  as 
the  day  broke  to  reconnoitre  the  vicinity,  came  un 
expectedly  at  the  descent  of  a  hill,  plump  upon  the 
head  of  Wooster's  column.  They  attempted  to  turn 
about,  but  before  it  could  be  fully  effected,  a  field- 
piece  was  discharged  at  them;  one  of  them  was 
pitched  from  his  horse  and  taken  prisoner,  the  other 
galloped  back  to  the  fort,  holloing  as  he  passed, 
"The  rebels!  The  rebels!"  This  set  all  the  out- 
guards  and  pickets  running  to  the  fort,  leaving  in 
some  places  their  arms,  blankets,  tools,  provisions, 
&c.  behind  them.  Those  who  fled  from  Valentine's, 
and  the  Negro  Fort,  were  fired  at  as  they  ran,  but 
none  were  killed:  one,  who  could  not  run  so  fast  as 


120  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [JAN.  1777 

the  rest,  was  taken  prisoner.  Ten  muskets  were 
taken  at  Valentine's  house.  The  guard  above  Van 
Cortland's  was  as  completely  surprised  as  the  others, 
where  Gen.  Lincoln  took  about  40  arms,  some  blan 
kets,  &c.  &c.  The  left  and  centre  divisions  moved 
into  the  hollow,  between  Valentine's  house  and  the 
fort,  from  whence  our  General  immediately  sent  a 
summons  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  fort  to 
surrender.  The  Commandant  of  the  fort,  and  a  con 
siderable  part  of  the  garrison,  being  Hessians,  the 
summons  held  out  to  these  generous  terms.  The 
answer,  which  was  verbal,  was  a  refusal  to  surrender. 
A  detachment  with  two  field-pieces  was  ordered  to 
move  to  the  south  of  the  fort,  to  a  hill  above  Har 
lem  Creek,  not  far  from  the  New  Bridge.  When 
the  detachment  arrived  at  this  place,  a  battalion  of 
Hessians  appeared  drawn  up  on  the  side  of  the  hill 
just  within  Kingsbridge,  and  back  of  Hyatt's  tavern. 
Our  General  ordered  the  artillery  to  cannonade  them 
immediately.  The  first  shot  just  cleared  the  right  of 
the  battalion,  nearly  a  platoon  settling  down  as  the 
shot  passed  them,  which  entered  the  bank  close  be 
hind  them.  The  second  shot  passed  about  the  centre 
of  the  battalion,  when  to  the  amount  of  a  grand  di 
vision  settled  down,  which  was  an  evidence  that  they 
would  not  stand  much  longer.  One  of  the  pieces 
was  ordered  to  be  drawn  lower  down  the  hill;  on 
which  the  battalion  quitted  their  ground,  and 
marched  off  as  fast  as  they  could  without  running, 
to  get  behind  the  redoubt  and  hill  at  the  bridge,  re 
ceiving  one  shot  more  as  they  were  turning  round 
the  point.  It  was  not  suspected  that  the  enemy  had 
any  cannon  in  the  redoubt  within  the  bridge,  but 
they  now  began  to  cannonade  the  artillery-men  who 
had  descended  the  hill,  who  had  to  draw  up  their 
piece  as  fast  as  possible,  which  they  effected  without 


JAN.  1777]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  121 

any  loss,  but  received  three  or  four  shot  quite  among 
them,  before  they  could  reach  the  top  of  the  hill. 

This  success  at  the  outposts  flew  through  the 
country,  and  was  soon  magnified  to  a  reduction  of 
the  fort,  and  capture  of  the  garrison.  It  reached 
Gen.  Washington  long  before  the  official  account, 
and  he  had  communicated  the  report  to  Congress; 
hence  a  double  disappointment,  when  the  true  state 
of  facts  was  received. 

1 9th. — The  enemy  cannonaded  from  the  fort,  and 
killed  one  American,  as  the  guards  were  relieving  at 
the  Negro  Fort.  It  was  determined  to  make  an  at 
tempt  to  cut  off  the  battalion  within  Kingsbridge, 
early  the  next  morning,  by  passing  a  strong  detach 
ment  over  Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek  on  the  ice,  which, 
however,  was  not  now  very  strong,  but  the  weather 
was  cold.  One  thousand  were  detached  for  the  pur 
pose;  but  the  weather  having  grown  warm  in  the 
night,  the  ice  was  judged,  by  the  unanimous  opinion 
of  all  the  General  Officers  on  the  ground,  to  be  too 
hazardous  on  the  morning  of  the  2Oth  to  venture 
the  attempt.  On  this  day  there  was  a  cannonade  on 
both  sides,  and  the  enemy  on  the  island  side  were 
thrown  into  much  confusion.  Our  General  observ 
ing  that  when  the  enemy  within  the  island  were  can 
nonaded  across  Harlem  Creek,  they  sheltered  them 
selves  behind  the  little  hill  near  the  bridge,  next  to 
Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek,  on  this  afternoon  he  rode 
round  on  to  Tippit's  Hill,  which  was  in  its  rear,  and 
found  that  a  field-piece  drawn  up  on  that  side  would 
leave  the  enemy  no  hiding  place. 

2ist. — A  cannonade  on  both  sides.  In  the  after 
noon  a  field-piece  was  hauled  up  to  Tippit's  Hill, 
and  the  enemy  were  cannonaded  both  in  front  and 
rear:  they  were  thrown  into  the  utmost  confusion: 
some  secured  themselves  in  their  redoubt,  others  un- 


122  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [jAN.i777 

der  the  banks:  some  lay  flat  on  the  ground,  and  some 
betook  themselves  to  the  cellars;  so  that  in  a  short 
time  there  was  no  object  for  the  gunners.  The 
weather  had  now  grown  very  moderate. 

22d. — There  was  a  pretty  smart  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  near  the  fort.  This  day  our  General  ordered 
a  number  of  chandeliers,  fascines,  &c.  to  be  made; 
and  having  nothing  but  light  field-pieces  with  him, 
in  order  to  keep  up  an  appearance  of  a  serious  design 
on  the  fort,  he  sent  to  North  Castle,  where  was  a 
field  brass  24-pounder  and  some  howitzers,  to  bring 
forward  the  former  and  one  of  the  latter. 

23d. — A  smart  skirmish  took  place  just  before 
dusk,  in  the  broken  ground  near  the  south  side  of 
the  fort;  an  Ensign  and  one  man  belonging  to  the 
New  York  militia  were  killed,  and  five  wounded; 
the  loss  of  the  enemy  unknown,  as  it  was  close  under 
the  fort. 

24th. — Excessive  stormy.  Gen.  Lincoln's  divi 
sion,  who  were  in  huts  in  the  woods,  back  of  Col. 
Van  Cortland's,  were  obliged  to  quit  their  ground, 
and  move  back  into  houses  where  they  could  find 
them;  some  of  them  as  far  as  Dobb's  Ferry;  with  the 
loss  of  a  great  many  cartridges  from  the  badness  of 
the  boxes.  The  fall  of  rain  was  so  great  as  to  cause 
a  great  fresh  in  the  Bronx,  the  water  running  over 
the  bridge  by  Williams's. 

25th. — Early  in  the  morning,  the  enemy  made  a 
sally  towards  Delancey's  Mills,  where  they  surprised 
and  routed  the  guard,  wounding  several,  but  not  kill 
ing  or  taking  any  of  them;  and  a  regiment  near  that 
place  quitted  their  quarters.  Emboldened  by  this  suc 
cess,  about  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  they  made  a  powerful 
sally  towards  Valentine's,  instantly  driving  the  guards 
and  pickets  from  the  Negro  Fort  and  Valentine's 
house;  pushing  on  with  great  impetuosity,  keeping 


JAN.  1777]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  123 

up  a  brisk  fire,  the  balls  passing  at  Williams's  house 
sufficiently  strong  to  do  execution.  The  retreating 
guards  threw  themselves  into  the  old  redoubt  on  the 
north  side  of  the  road,  to  the  west  of  the  bridge;  on 
which  the  enemy  immediately  lined  a  strong  stone 
wall,  a  few  rods  distant  to  the  southwest.  Two  reg 
iments  of  the  militia  being  at  this  instant  formed  in 
the  road  near  Williams's,  and  the  horses  in  the  lim 
bers  of  the  field-pieces,  our  General  ordered  Capt. 
Bryant  to  ford  over  the  bridge  with  his  piece,  and 
the  militia  to  follow  and  cover  the  artillery.  When 
Capt.  Bryant  had  ascended  almost  to  the  top  of  the 
hill,  to  prevent  his  horses  being  shot,  he  unlimbered, 
and  the  men  took  the  drag-ropes;  but  the  ascent  of 
the  hill  was  such  that  they  were  obliged  to  drag  the 
piece  almost  within  pistol-shot,  before  the  ground 
would  admit  the  piece  to  be  so  depressed  as  to  bear 
on  the  enemy.  The  moment  this  was  effected,  a 
round  shot  opened  a  breach  in  the  wall,  four  or  five 
feet  wide;  a  second  shot  in  less  than  a  minute  opened 
another,  when  the  enemy  fled  back  to  the  fort  with 
the  greatest  precipitation.  Of  the  Americans,  two 
were  killed  and  a  number  wounded. 

zyth. — The  brass  24-pounder  and  howitzer  were 
brought  up,  and  ordered  to  open  upon  the  fort;  on 
the  third  discharge  of  the  former,  she  sprang  her  car 
riage;  nor  were  there  any  live  shells  for  the  howitzer, 
there  being  none  at  North  Castle;  nor  was  a  regular 
cannonade  or  bombardment  of  the  fort  ever  con 
templated.  Every  attempt  was  now  made,  by  feint 
and  otherwise,  to  draw  the  enemy  out  of  the  fort. 
A  detachment  was  sent  down  to  Morrisania  to  light 
up  a  great  number  of  fires  in  the  night,  to  induce  the 
enemy  to  suppose  that  a  body  of  Americans  were 
collecting  at  that  place,  with  a  design  to  cross  on  to 
New  York  Island,  at  or  near  Harlem;  and  to 


i24  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [JAN.  i777 

heighten  this,  several  large  boats  were  sent  for,  and 
brought  forward  on  carriages.  The  British  guard 
on  Montresor's  Island  were  so  much  alarmed  at 
this,  as  to  set  the  buildings  on  fire,  and  flee  to  New 
York.  A  brigade  of  the  British  were  said  to  have 
moved  towards  Fort  Washington;  and  orders  had 
been  sent  to  Rhode  Island,  for  a  detachment  to  be 
sent  from  thence. 

29th. — There  was  the  appearance  of  a  severe  snow 
storm  coming  on,  when  all  the  General  Officers  on 
the  ground,  viz.  besides  our  General,  Lincoln,  Woos- 
ter,  Scott  and  Ten  Broeck,  were  unanimously  of  opin 
ion  that  the  troops  ought  to  move  back  before  the 
storm  came  on,  to  places  where  they  could  be  cov 
ered  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  as  there 
was  no  artillery  to  batter  the  fort,  and  from  first  to 
last  they  were  unanimously  opposed  to  any  idea  of 
an  assault  or  storm  of  the  fort  with  the  militia,  and 
the  principal  object  being  now  to  secure  and  bring 
off  or  destroy  the  forage,  which  could  be  as  well  done 
where  the  troops  could  have  covering,  as  to  harass 
them  in  the  open  fields  by  multiplying  guards,  or 
their  being  constantly  exposed  in  the  scattered  houses 
to  be  surprised  and  cut  off.  For  these  several  rea 
sons,  the  troops  were  ordered  as  soon  as  it  grew  dark 
to  move  back,  Gen.  Lincoln's  division  to  Dobb's 
Ferry  and  Tarrytown,  Gen.  Wooster's  to  New 
Rochelle,  and  Gen.  Scott's  to  White  Plains;  the 
guards  to  remain  at  their  posts  and  alert,  until  the 
troops  were  all  moved  off,  and  then  to  form  rear 
guards  on  the  several  roads,  following  the  troops  to 
whom  they  respectively  belonged;  all  of  which  was 
performed  in  good  order,  in  a  very  heavy  fall  of  snow. 

3Oth. — The  storm  cleared  up,  when  15  ships,  I 
brig,  2  schooners,  and  2  sloops  came  to,  between 
Hart  and  City  Islands;  they  were  from  the  eastward 


FEB.  i777]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  125 

and  were  supposed  to  have  troops  on  board.  The 
troops  on  this  expedition,  as  it  was  called,  were  in  a 
very  hazardous  situation,  and  had  continued  in  it 
from  the  morning  of  the  i8th  to  the  evening  of  the 
2Qth;  they  were  entirely  a  body  of  militia,  except  a 
few  artillery-men.  So  apprehensive  of  this  being  a 
critical  situation  was  the  Commander  in  Chief,  in 
the  year  1780,  when  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  menaced 
the  French  army  at  Rhode  Island,  and  had  embarked 
his  troops  on  board  transports  for  the  purpose  of 
proceeding  to  that  place,  and  Gen.  Washington  had 
determined  to  move  down  towards  Kingsbridge  to 
induce  Sir  Henry  to  give  up  his  design  by  menacing 
New  York,  our  General  being  then  at  Rhode  Island 
with  the  French  army,  Gen.  Washington  wrote  him 
on  the  3  ist  of  July  from  Robinson's  House  in  the 
Highlands — among  other  things,  "  You  know  the  crit 
ical  situation  in  which  this  army  will  be  in  a  position 
below."  This  was  undoubtedly  a  very  just  observa 
tion;  but  if  the  Commander  in  Chief,  with  the  whole 
American  army  in  1780,  well  armed  and  highly  dis 
ciplined,  should  so  justly  judge  at  the  distance  of  30 
miles  from  the  spot,  what  shall  we  say  of  those  brave 
militia  men,  who  continued  in  the  position  itself,  for 
more  than  ten  days  in  the  midst  of  winter. 

Whenever  an  enterprise  is  to  be  attempted  in  the 
teeth  of  an  enemy,  it  should  be  a  dash  and  away. 

3 1  st. — A  cordon  of  troops  was  ordered  to  be  formed 
to  extend  from  Dobb's  Ferry  to  Mamaroneck. 

February  1st. — Foraging  being  now  the  object,  a 
large  number  of  teams  were  sent  out  towards  Mama 
roneck,  and  upwards  of  80  loads  of  forage  were 
brought  off.  Twelve  more  ships,  4  of  which  were  of  40 
guns,  came  down  the  Sound  the  preceding  day. 

2d. — Col.  Humphries,  of  New  York,  arrived  with 


iz6  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  i777 

a  regiment  of  militia  from  Albany  county  to  con 
tinue  in  service  six  weeks. 

3d. — There  was  another  grand  forage. 

6th. — A  strong  detachment  under  the  command 
of  Col.  Enos  sent  toward  Fort  Independence,  to  at 
tempt  to  surprise  some  of  the  enemy's  out-posts,  but 
nothing  could  be  effected.  The  small-pox  was  now 
making  its  appearance  in  the  neighborhood. 

8th. — There  was  a  grand  forage  to  the  lower  parts 
of  West  Chester  county.  A  row-galley  and  a  sloop 
were  coming  up  the  North  River.  The  covering 
party  to  the  forages  on  this  day  was  nearly  1,000 
strong,  and  large  quantities  of  forage  were  brought 
off. 

10th. — Our  General  rode  to  Peekskill,  where  he 
arrived  a  little  after  dark.  Gen.  Lincoln's  troops 
were  on  their  march  to  join  Gen.  Washington.  Our 
General  had  obtained  leave  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  to  make  a  short  visit  to  New  England,  under 
an  injunction  to  return  very  early. 

1 2th. — About  10  o'clock,  he  left  Peekskill,  and 
arrived  at  his  house  in  Roxbury  on  the  iQth,  about 
sunset. 

March  I4th. — Our  General  set  out  from  Roxbury, 
on  his  way  back  to  the  army;  but  before  he  had  got 
to  Watertown,  an  express  overtook  him  with  orders 
from  Gen.  Washington  for  him  to  take  the  command 
of  the  Eastern  Department;  Gen.  Ward  having  ap 
plied  for  leave  to  resign  the  command,  meaning  to 
retire  from  the  service:  he  therefore  turned  back,  and 
rode  into  Boston. 

This  year,  1777,  formed  an  important  era  in  the 
annals  of  America.  Congress  had  determined  to 
make  great  exertions  to  drive  the  British  troops  from 
America;  for  this  purpose,  they  had  ordered  88  bat 
talions  to  be  raised  in  the  United  States,  15  of  which 


MARCH,  1777]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  127 

fell  to  the  share  of  Massachusetts.  Besides  the  fore 
going  88  battalions,  they  also  ordered  the  raising  of 
16  others,  called  the  additional  battalions;  and  of 
these,  three  were  raising  in  Massachusetts,  viz.  Jack 
son's,  Lee's  and  Henley's;  besides  Armand's  Legion, 
Artificers,  &c.  The  arming,  equipping  and  sending 
on  the  recruits — furnishing  the  recruiting  officers 
with  bounty  moneys  —  and  the  forwarding  of  im 
mense  quantities  of  all  kinds  of  military  stores,  (for 
Massachusetts  might  now  be  called  the  great  maga 
zine  of  military  stores  of  the  Union,  partly  on  account 
of  her  own  resources,  managed  by  the  indefatigable 
industry  of  her  Board  of  War) — and  the  arrivals  of 
public  stores  here  and  at  Portsmouth,  called  for  the 
utmost  diligence  and  exertion  of  the  commanding 
general.  The  Commander  in  Chief  had  given  di 
rections  for  the  troops  to  be  forwarded  on,  with  all 
possible  dispatch,  to  Ticonderoga. 

2Oth. — Maj.  Gen.  Ward  resigned  the  command  of 
the  Eastern  Department  to  our  General,  who  took 
the  command  accordingly. 

23d. — A  detachment  of  British  troops,  consisting 
as  was  said  of  about  500  men,  destroyed  the  Ameri 
can  stores  at  Peekskill;  they  met  with  but  very  little 
opposition:  here  our  General  lost  a  part  of  his  bag 
gage,  which  was  left  when  he  came  away  for  Boston, 
in  February.  Monsieur  De  Bore,  a  French  General, 
came  to  Boston:  he  had  been  engaged  by  our  Minis 
ters  in  France,  to  enter  the  American  service,  &c. 

27th. — Our  General  received  orders  from  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  to  make  an  alteration  in  the 
destination  of  the  Massachusetts  regiments,  sending 
eight  of  the  regiments  to  Peekskill,  and  seven  to 
Ticonderoga. 

3 1  st. — Our  General  took  a  view  of  the  state  of  the 
works  at  Dorchester,  &c. 


i28  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  I777 

April  3d. — Capt.  Sumner,  of  Greaton's  regiment, 
marched  a  detachment  of  the  regiment  for  Peeks- 
kill. 

4th. — A  part  of  Col.  Shepard's  regiment  marched 
for  Peekskill. 

7th. — Our  General  took  a  view  of  the  barracks  at 
Prospect  Hill,  preparatory  to  the  cutting  of  the  re 
cruits  under  inoculation  with  the  small-pox. 

9th. — About  1 20  men  of  Patterson's  regiment 
marched  for  Peekskill. 

nth. — A  part  of  Nixon's  regiment  marched  for 
Peekskill;  on  the  I2th,  160  men  of  Bayley's  for 
Ticonderoga;  and  on  the  I3th,  200  of  Wesson's  for 
the  latter  place.  The  same  day,  began  to  inoculate 
the  recruits  at  Prospect  Hill. 

I5th. — Colonel  Jackson's  Independent  Company 
marched  to  do  duty  at  Providence;  and  a  company 
of  Col.  Crane's  artillery  for  the  main  army. 

1 6th. — Two  hundred  men  of  Col.  Wigglesworth's 
regiment  marched  for  Peekskill.  The  same  even 
ing,  our  General  received  orders  from  Gen.  Wash 
ington  to  send  the  troops  to  Peekskill,  by  the  route 
of  Kinderhook.  The  same  day,  10  tons  of  powder 
arrived  at  Boston,  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

A  second  division  of  recruits  for  Bayley's  regiment 
marched  for  Ticonderoga,  as  did  a  division  from  Col. 
Bradford's  for  the  same  place. 

2Oth. — A  large  letter-of-marque  ship  arrived  at 
Boston  from  Nantes  in  France,  with  a  valuable  cargo 
on  private  account. 

2jd. — An  express  from  Portsmouth  brought  an 
account  of  the  arrival  at  that  place  of  the  French 
ship  Amphitrite,  having  on  board  52  brass  field- 
pieces,  completely  mounted,  with  apparatus;  6,132 
muskets;  120  barrels  of  powder,  and  many  other 
articles. 


MAY,  1777]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  129 

24th. — A  second  division  of  Col.  Crane's  artillery 
marched  for  the  army. 

28th. — A  division  for  Wesson's  regiment  marched 
for  Ticonderoga. 

29th. — An  express  arrived  from  Gov.  Trumbull, 
giving  an  account  that  the  enemy  had  landed  a  body 
of  men  near  Fairfield,  and  that  a  number  of  ships 
were  standing  up  Hudson's  River.  This  body  of 
the  enemy  consisted  of  about  2,000;  they  landed  on 
the  25th  at  Fairfield,  and  pushed  for  Danbury,  where 
the  Americans  had  magazines  of  stores,  which  the 
British  burnt  and  destroyed.  Generals  Wooster  and 
Arnold  were  in  that  part  of  Connecticut;  they  as 
sembled  the  militia  of  the  vicinity,  and  attacked  the 
British  on  their  return;  and  there  were  several  very 
sharp  skirmishes  at  and  near  Ridgefield,  in  one  of 
which  the  brave  Gen.  Wooster  fell;  and  Gen.  Arnold 
having  his  horse  shot  down  under  him,  by  a  soldier 
who  was  very  near  him,  and  who  was  following  up 
his  shot  with  his  bayonet  charged,  Arnold  catched 
one  of  his  pistols  from  the  holsters  on  the  slain  horse, 
and  instantly  shot  the  soldier  dead  on  the  spot.  The 
loss  was  considerable  on  both  sides,  in  killed  and 
wounded:  the  British  say  theirs  did  not  exceed  172, 
killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  loss  to  the  Amer 
icans,  in  stores,  &c.  was  considerable,  and  could  but 
illy  be  spared  at  that  time. 

May  5th. — Col.  Jackson's  Independent  Company 
returned  from  doing  duty  at  Providence. 

I4th. — Gen.  Du  Condray,  an  experienced  French 
artillery  officer,  engaged  by  our  Commissioners  in 
France  to  act  at  the  head  of  the  American  artillery, 
arrived  at  Boston:  on  viewing,  from  Beacon  Hill, 
the  situation  of  Boston,  and  the  American  works 
around  the  town,  he  made  a  laugh  at  the  British 
leaving  the  town  when  under  no  greater  danger; 


130  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  1777 

adding,  that  the  force  which  they  had,  might  have 
defended  the  place  against  an  army  of  50,000  men. 
A  valuable  prize,  loaded  with  dry  goods,  was  sent 
into  Newburyport. 

2ist. — The  Continental  frigates,  and  a  fleet  of  pri 
vate  ships  of  war,  sailed  on  a  cruise,  with  a  fair  wind. 

28th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  a  detach 
ment  of  Americans,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Meigs,  of  Connecticut,  had  passed  the  Sound  on  the 
23d  to  Long  Island,  and  crossed  to  Sag  Harbour, 
where  they  destroyed  and  burnt  a  number  of  vessels 
at  the  wharf,  and  every  thing  on  shore,  and  brought 
off  80  or  90  prisoners.  This  enterprise  was  con 
ducted  with  much  address  and  great  expedition. 

29th. — A  prize  brig  was  sent  in,  laden  with  salt, 
cordage,  &c.  She  was  from  Topsham  in  England. 
No  reinforcement  for  the  army  in  America  had  sailed 
the  last  of  March. 

June  8th. — Two  prizes  were  sent  in;  one  laden 
with  coals,  the  other  with  dry  goods. 

Qth. — A  50  gun  ship  of  the  enemy,  and  two  frig 
ates  were  cruising  in  our  bay. 

1 4th. —  A  prize  taken  by  Commodore  Manley,  laden 
with  duck,  cordage,  &c.  and  two  brigs  from  Bilboa, 
arrived  safe. 

July  1st. — Intelligence  was  received  that  General 
Howe  evacuated  Brunswick  on  the  i8th  of  the  pre 
ceding  month;  he  had  before  advanced  as  far  as 
Somerset  Court  House,  and  had  thrown  up  a  number 
of  works,  which  he  abandoned:  the  American  light 
troops  harassed  his  rear.  This  day,  four  of  the 
enemy's  cruisers  came  so  near  in  as  to  be  discovered 
from  Nantasket. 

4th. — The  anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States  was  celebrated  with  proper  demon 
strations  of  joy. 


JULY,  1777]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  131 

6th. — An  express  arrived  from  Peekskill,  with 
intelligence  from  Gen.  Washington,  intimating  that 
on  the  morning  of  the  ist  inst.  the  enemy's  fleet 
which  lay  at  Amboy  sailed  down  round  that  town; 
and  that  the  troops  who  lay  encamped  opposite  to 
the  town  struck  their  tents  and  marched  off.  The 
enemy  were  also  advancing  on  the  Lake  with  their 
fleet  towards  Ticonderoga.  A  detachment  of  sol 
diers  for  Col.  M.  Jackson's  regiment  marched  for 
the  northern  army. 

7th. — Capt.  Cluston  arrived  from  France,  with 
powder,  arms,  &c.  for  the  State;  he  had  also  made 
a  successful  cruise. 

nth. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  Amer 
icans  evacuated  Ticonderoga  on  the  6th,  at  night; 
a  great  many  stores,  &c.  were  lost.  The  British  no 
sooner  arrived  before  Ticonderoga,  than  they  were 
discovered  on  Mount  Hope:  this  steep  and  rugged 
hill  was  thought  to  be  inaccessible  by  the  Americans, 
at  least  with  artillery;  and  therefore,  notwithstand 
ing  its  nearness  to  the  works,  and  overlooking  of 
them  in  part,  it  was  not  taken  possession  of;  but 
they  should  have  recollected  what  had  been  said  by 
the  late  King  of  Prussia,  as  to  such  positions — that 
"where  a  goat  can  go,  a  man  may  go;  and  where  a 
man  can  go,  artillery  may  be  drawn  up."  The  Brit 
ish  were  no  sooner  seen  on  this  hill,  where  the  wily 
Phillips  of  the  artillery  is  said  to  have  ascended,  than 
they  saw  an  additional  reason  for  quitting  the  post. 
This  was  a  sore  and  heavy  loss  to  the  Americans; 
but  in  the  issue  proved  a  more  certain  and  earlier 
overthrow  of  all  Burgoyne's  army:  yet  so  exaspe 
rated  were  the  people  at  that  time,  that  had  the  com 
manding  general,  St.  Clair,  been  immediately 
brought  to  trial,  he  would  have  stood  but  a  poor 
chance:  he  was  afterwards  tried  and  acquitted  with 


i32  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [1^,1777 

honour.  The  British  took  possession  of  the  works, 
and  pushed  on  rapidly  after  the  Americans,  taking 
and  destroying  every  thing  that  fell  in  their  way. 
Brig.  Gen.  Frazer,  with  the  light-troops,  pursued 
with  great  ardour,  and  on  the  7th  came  up  with  a 
body  of  the  Americans,  commanded  by  the  brave 
Col.  Francis,  of  Massachusetts.  A  warm  action  en 
sued;  the  Americans  were  worsted;  the  Colonel  was 
slain,  and  many  other  officers  and  soldiers  killed, 
wounded  and  taken  prisoners.  This  flew  through 
the  country  like  a  shock  of  electricity,  and  roused 
the  people  to  noble  exertions.  Gen.  St.  Clair  joined 
Gen.  Schuyler,  at  Fort  Edward,  after  a  fatiguing 
retreat.  On  the  loth,  a  most  conspicuous  piece  of 
gallantry  was  exhibited  at  Rhode  Island.  Maj.  Gen. 
Prescott  having  the  command  of  the  British  troops 
at  that  place,  Col.  Barton  of  Providence  formed  a 
resolution  to  surprise  and  take  him:  he  accordingly 
proceeded  to  the  island  with  a  party  of  chosen  men 
in  two  boats  with  muffled  oars,  taking  with  him  a 
negro  man  whose  hard  head  was  nearly  as  efficacious 
as  a  beetle,  to  burst  a  door;  and  on  this  night  with 
great  address  evading  the  British  water-guards, 
passed  down  the  west  side  of  the  island,  and  landed 
near  a  hollow  ground,  and  instantly  pushed  for  the 
house  of  a  Mr.  Overing,  where  the  General  quar 
tered.  The  sentinel  at  the  door  was  seized,  the 
house  entered,  and  demand  made  whether  the  Gen 
eral  was  there;  and  finding  that  he  was,  and  the 
apartment,  the  door  was  burst  open,  and  the  General 
and  his  aide-de-camp  seized,  and  told  that  they  must 
go  off  instantly.  The  General  asked  if  he  might  put 
on  his  clothes  ?  The  Colonel  answered,  "Very  few 
and  very  quick,  Sir."  The  Colonel  returned  to  his 
boats,  and  repassed  the  water-guards,  which  the 
General  had  much  confidence  would  have  released 


JULY,  1777]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  133 

him;  for  on  passing  the  last,  he  observed  to  the  Colo 
nel,  "Sir,  I  did  not  think  it  possible  you  could  escape 
the  vigilance  of  the  water-guards."  This  was  a  bril 
liant  affair;  and  Congress  duly  rewarded  Col.  Barton 
for  his  distinguished  address  and  gallantry. 

1 3th. — An  express  arrived  from  Gen.  Washington, 
with  information  that  the  British  were  preparing 
their  transports  for  the  embarkation  of  their  troops 
from  Staten  Island,  were  fixing  berths  for  the  light- 
horse,  &c.  but  their  destination  could  not  be  devel 
oped.  They  had  pushed  into  the  Jerseys,  as  if  de 
signing  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  and  then  turned 
back,  as  has  been  mentioned,  from  Amboy,  and  now 
were  preparing  to  embark — and  we  shall  anon  see 
more  of  their  manoeuvres  and  deceptions.* 

i6th. — A  number  of  Americans,  who  had  left  the 
northern  army  when  it  retreated,  as  is  generally  the 
case  on  similar  occasions,  came  to  Boston;  they  were 
immediately  taken  up  and  confined,  to  be  sent  back 
again:  the  best  method  in  like  cases. 

i Qth. — At  evening  an  express  passed  through  Bos 
ton,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  with  dispatches 
which  had  been  brought  to  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  by 
a  vessel  in  42  days  passage  from  France.  It  was  said 
that  there  was  great  probability  of  an  immediate  war 
between  France  and  England. 

2 1  st. — By  intelligence  from  Peekskill  it  was 
learnt,  that  on  the  preceding  Wednesday  10  pieces 
of  cannon  were  shipped  for  Albany;  that  a  division 
of  the  American  army  was  opposite  to  Fishkill;  and 
that  General  Washington  was  moving  towards  King's 
Ferry  with  the  main  army,  said  to  be  20,000  strong, 
with  near  800  wagons,  and  having  a  number  of 
flat-bottomed  boats  on  carriages,  &c, 

*  See  Appendix  XV. 


i34  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  i777 

26th. — Count  Pulaski,  a  Polish  nobleman,  came  to 
Boston,  and  dined  at  head-quarters. 

August  ist. — Information  was  sent  from  Cape  Ann 
that  a  fleet  of  vesesls,  said  to  be  near  100,  had  been 
seen  from  the  high  lands,  standing  to  the  northward. 
This  caused  some  alarm:  the  guards  at  the  maga 
zines,  &c.  were  doubled. 

4th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Gen.  Wash 
ington  was  moving  with  the  main  army  towards 
Philadelphia,  and  had  detached  Gen.  Glover  with 
his  brigade  to  join  the  northern  army.  An  account 
was  received  that  there  had  been  a  skirmish  on  Wood 
Creek  between  a  party  of  the  Americans  and  the 
enemy,  to  the  advantage  of  the  former. 

6th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  American 
northern  army  had  fallen  back  to  Saratoga.  About 
this  time,  a  party  of  the  enemy  landed  on  Boston 
Neck  (so  called)  in  Rhode  Island:  they  were  driven 
off  without  doing  much  damage.  The  same  day  in 
telligence  was  received,  that  on  the  23d  of  the  pre 
ceding  month  the  British  fleet  sailed  from  Sandy 
Hook,  and  had  arrived  off  the  Capes  of  Delaware. 

8th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
fleet  sailed  out  of  the  Capes  of  Delaware  on  the  3ist 
ult.  standing  to  the  eastward.  This  induced  Gen. 
Washington  to  retrograde  the  main  American  army 
towards  the  North  River. 

nth. — There  was  a  report  that  the  northern  army 
had  fallen  back  to  Stillwater.  One  sixth  part  of 
the  militia  in  a  number  of  the  counties  of  Massachu 
setts  were  ordered  to  be  detached  and  marched  im 
mediately  to  reinforce  the  northern  army. 

I4th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
fleet  had  returned  again  to  the  Capes  of  Delaware. 
Col.  Johnson  and  St.  Leger  were  advancing  with  a 


AUG.  1777]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  135 

body  of  the  enemy  towards  Fort  Schuyler,  on  the 
Mohawk  River. 

About  this  time,  a  Miss  M'Crea,  said  to  be  a  beau 
tiful  young  lady,  and  in  all  the  innocence  of  youth, 
her  father  warmly  engaged  on  the  side  of  the  British, 
and  she  on  the  very  point  of  marriage  with  a  British 
officer,  on  some  dispute  between  two  Indians,  as  to 
which  of  them  she  of  right  belonged  as  a  captive,  she 
was  most  inhumanly  massacred!  The  act  was  prob 
ably  as  abhorrent  to  the  British  as  to  the  Americans; 
but  they  ought  not  to  have  engaged  the  savages  in 
their  cause,  as  they  might  well  have  known  their  un 
governable  temper,  and  disposition  for  blood;  for 
this  was  not  the  only  instance.  A  British  officer 
sending  his  waiter  to  a  spring  for  some  cool  water, 
in  a  few  minutes  an  Indian  came  in  with  the  scalp 
of  the  waiter  smoking  in  his  hand.* 

St.  Leger  having  gone  up  the  Mohawk  to  reduce 
Fort  Schuyler,  Gen.  Burgoyne  determined  to  send 
out  another  strong  detachment  on  his  left,  towards 
Bennington.  The  command  of  this  detachment  was 
given  to  Lieut.  Col.  Baum,  a  Hessian;  and  Col. 
Breyman,  with  another  detachment,  was  ordered  to 
cover  and  support  Baum.  These  were  met  by  the 
brave  Gen.  Stark,  who  gave  them  a  complete  over 
throw.  On  the  morning  of  the  i6th,  32  officers  and 
near  700  men  were  taken  prisoners,  with  4  light 
field-pieces,  nearly  1,000  arms,  a  quantity  of  bag 
gage,  &c.  The  Americans  were  said  to  have  had 
about  25  men  killed:  the  loss  of  the  enemy  in  killed 
was  judged  to  be  nearly  200.  Fort  Schuyler  was 
closely  besieged  by  St.  Leger;  and  the  brave  Col. 
Herkimer,  with  the  Tryon  county  militia,  was  march 
ing  to  its  relief.  St.  Leger  learning  his  advance, 
drew  off  a  large  part  of  his  besieging  troops,  to  meet 

*  See  Appendix  XVI. 


136  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS 

and  give  him  battle,  before  he  got  near  the  fort:  the 
battle  was  obstinate,  and  the  militia  behaved  with 
great  bravery,  but  were  at  length  defeated;  their 
brave  Colonel  and  many  of  the  militia  were  slain:  it 
was  said  that  the  action  lasted  5  or  6  hours.  Matters 
now  appearing  more  serious  in  this  quarter,  Gen. 
Arnold  marched  with  a  sufficient  detachment  to  raise 
the  siege.  As  soon  as  St.  Leger  learnt  his  approach, 
he  sent  off  some  Indians,  as  if  friends,  to  meet  Arnold, 
and  inform  him  that  St.  Leger  had  received  a  strong 
reinforcement,  and  advised  Arnold  to  halt  and  wait 
for  a  reinforcement  himself — then  abandoned  the 
siege  with  precipitation,  leaving  his  tents  standing, 
his  baggage,  artillery,  &c.  behind  him.  Thus  were 
both  Burgoyne's  wings  effectually  clipped. 

September  1st. — Intelligence  was  received  that 
after  much  manoeuvring,  Howe's  fleet  came  to  anchor 
in  Chesapeake  Bay,  on  the  2ist  ult.,  consisting  of  near 
200  sail,  and  it  was  expected  he  would  soon  land  his 
troops.  The  24th,  Gen.  Washington's  army  was  on 
full  march  to  meet  Howe,  and  then  within  5  miles 
of  Philadelphia.  A  valuable  cargo  arrived  safe  from 
Spain;  among  other  articles,  a  large  number  of  shoes, 
hose,  blankets,  shirts,  cordage,  duck,  &c. 

2d. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Gen.  Howe's 
army  had  landed  at  the  Head  of  Elk.  A  detach 
ment  from  Gen.  Sullivan's  division  a  little  before  this 
time  made  an  excursion  on  to  Staten  Island,  and 
brought  off  several  hundred  prisoners,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  baggage.  The  American  loss  was  said 
to  be  about  60,  including  officers. 

5th. — Four  hundred  and  one  prisoners,  taken  near 
Bennington  by  Gen.  Stark,  were  escorted  to  Boston; 
they  consisted  of  British,  Brunswick  and  Canadian 
troops. 

9th. — Capt.  Harden  arrived  at  Boston  in  a  Con- 


SEPT.  1777]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  137 

necticut  State  ship  of  20  guns:  he  brought  in  with 
him  a  Jamaica  packet  which  he  took  during  his 
cruise.  It  was  said  the  packet  had  a  large  sum  in 
specie  on  board;  and  a  Mr.  Shirley  and  family,  on 
their  passage  to  England.  The  last  accounts  stated 
both  Gen.  Washington's  and  the  northern  army  to 
be  near  the  enemy;  and  important  news  might  be 
momently  expected. 

I Qth. — Col.  Lee's  regiment  moved  into  Boston. 

2Oth. — The  disagreeable  news  was  received  that 
on  the  nth  inst.  a  severe  action  took  place  between 
Gen.  Washington's  and  Howe's  armies,  near  the 
Brandywine,  which  ended  rather  in  favour  of  the 
latter,  who  remained  masters  of  the  field.  The  Brit 
ish  here,  as  in  several  other  instances,  had  recourse 
to  stratagem:  they  held  out  the  appearance  of  an  in 
tention  of  forcing  their  way  at  Chad's  Ford,  which 
Gen.  Knyphausen  menaced  with  a  heavy  column  of 
Hessians;  while  the  British  column,  by  a  long  cir 
cuitous  march,  reached  the  forks  of  the  river,  and 
there  secured  a  safe  passage.  Gen.  Washington  was 
pretty  early  apprised  of  this  movement,  and  imme 
diately  took  measures  for  strengthening  his  right,  by 
ordering  some  troops  from  his  left.  After  the  action 
had  become  pretty  warm  on  the  right,  and  the  British 
had  got  the  advantage,  Knyphausen  passed  Chad's 
Ford;  and  although  the  troops  who  were  still  on  the 
left  behaved  well,  they  were  by  no  means  sufficient 
to  resist  the  heavy  column  of  Hessians.  It  is  said, 
that  after  the  Hessian  Grenadiers  had  crossed  the 
Ford,  they  halted  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  below  the 
Americans,  under  a  warm  fire,  and  with  great  delib 
eration  changed  their  hats  for  their  heavy  brass  caps, 
which  were  carried  by  a  loop  on  a  button  at  the  hip, 
and  then  ascended  the  hill,  from  which  the  Amer 
icans  were  obliged  to  retire.  Here  the  brave  Capt. 


138  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  1777 

Bryant,  of  the  artillery,  who  had  before  several  times 
distinguished  himself  under  the  eye  of  our  General, 
received  a  musket-ball  in  the  bottom  of  his  belly; 
a  brother  officer  carried  him  off  the  field,  but  he  died 
of  the  wound.  Gen.  Washington,  seconded  by  his 
officers,  did  every  thing  in  their  power  to  check  the 
British;  and  a  part  of  the  American  army  took  a  posi 
tion  which  probably  saved  the  army  from  a  total 
defeat.  Perhaps  the  American  army  were,  more  or 
less,  more  generally  engaged  in  this  action,  than  in 
any  other  during  the  war.  The  American  loss  was 
considerable  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  a  number 
of  pieces  of  brass  field  artillery  were  lost.  The 
British  also  suffered  pretty  severely  in  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  next  night,  Gen.  Gray  made,  with  much  se 
crecy,  an  attack  on  a  body  of  Americans,  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Wayne:  the  bayonet  was  chiefly 
made  use  of,  and  it  proved  but  too  efficacious  against 
the  Americans,  who  suffered  considerable  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded.  Gen.  Washington  retreated 
first  to  Philadelphia,  and  then  left  the  city.  The 
British  army  a  few  days  afterwards  advanced  to 
Germantown,  and  on  the  2yth  a  detachment  of  their 
army  took  possession  of  Philadelphia. 

23d. — Gen.  Washington's  orders 'for  sending  for 
ward  Colonels  Lee's,  Henley's  and  Jackson's  regi 
ments,  were  received  by  our  General. 

24th. — Several  prizes  were  sent  in  by  a  privateer 
brig  belonging  to  Col.  Sears. 

25th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  on  Friday, 
the  I Qth  inst.,  there  was  a  warm  and  bloody  action 
between  Gen.  Gates's  and  Burgoyne's  advanced 
troops,  which  lasted  until  dark.  The  troops  behaved 
with  the  greatest  bravery  on  both  sides.  Col.  Mor 
gan's  light  corps,  and  eleven  other  American  regi- 


OCT.  1777]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  139 

ments  were  more  or  less  engaged.  Of  the  Ameri 
cans,  2  Lieutenant-Colonels,  Coburn  and  Adams,  3 
Captains,  3  Subalterns,  and  56  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates  were  killed,  and  248  wounded. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  very  considerable,  and 
much  greater  than  that  of  the  Americans.  On  the 
1 8th,  the  day  preceding  the  foregoing  battle,  Col. 
Brown  made  an  excursion  in  the  enemy's  rear  to 
Lake  George;  made  293  of  the  enemy  prisoners;  re 
took  100  Americans:  he  also  took  near  100  batteaux, 
several  large  gun-boats,  an  armed  sloop,  &c. — took 
possession  of  the  French  lines  (so  called)  at  Ticonde- 
roga,  and  summoned  Fort  Independence  to 
surrender. 

2yth. — Col.  Craft's  regiment  of  State  artillery 
marched  out  of  Boston,  with  4  light  field-pieces  and 
an  eight-inch  howitzer,  towards  Providence,  on  a 
secret  expedition,  as  it  was  called. 

29th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  several  val 
uable  prizes  had  been  sent  into  Dartmouth. 

October  2d. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  on 
the  i6th,  Gen.  Du  Condray  was  drowned  in  the 
Schuylkill;  he  rode  into  the  ferry-boat  at  one  end, 
but  was  not  able  to  command  his  horse,  who  went 
out  at  the  other  end  of  the  boat,  plunging  into  the 
river.  This  officer,  as  before  mentioned,  was  en 
gaged  to  come  to  America,  to  take  the  command  of 
the  artillery;  but  whatever  may  have  been  his  tal 
ents,  the  artillery  was  so  well  commanded  that  the 
placing  a  foreign  officer  over  them  in  such  a  manner, 
and  whose  rank  would  also  have  soared  above  many 
other  officers  in  the  line,  would  most  certainly  have 
produced  a  convulsion  in  the  army,  had  it  been  per 
sisted  in.  This  circumstance  prevented  the  danger. 
The  same  day,  Col.  Lee's  regiment  marched  for  the 
main  army. 


i4o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i777 

6th. — Col.  H.  Jackson's  regiment  encamped  on 
Boston  common,  and  the  next  day  about  noon, 
marched  out  of  town  for  the  army;  the  regiment, 
although  small,  made  a  good  appearance.  About 
the  same  time  that  the  regiment  marched  out  of 
town,  upwards  of  100  British  and  Canadian  prison 
ers,  taken  near  Lake  George,  by  Col.  Brown,  marched 
in. 

8th. — It  was  learnt  that  a  body  of  the  enemy,  said 
to  be  about  3,000,  were  moving  from  New  York 
towards  Peekskill.  Gen.  Washington,  after  he 
left  Philadelphia,  encamped  near  a  place  called  Skip- 
pack  Creek,  about  16  miles  from  Germantown. 

1 3th. — At  3  o'clock,  A.  M.  an  express  arrived  from 
Gen.  Gates's  army,  with  an  account  that  on  Tuesday, 
the  yth  inst.  a  smart  action  took  place  between  the 
right  of  Gen.  Burgoyne's  army,  and  the  American 
left,  when  the  enemy  were  repulsed,  drove  back  to 
their  works,  and  then  forced  from  them.  Three 
Field-Officers,  6  Captains,  10  Subalterns,  i  Quarter- 
Master-General,  and  190  privates  were  taken  pris 
oners,  besides  300  taken  in  the  hospital — 8  pieces 
of  brass  cannon,  2  twelve  and  6  six  pounders,  3  am 
munition-wagons,  300  tents,  200  barrels  of  flour, 
and  a  large  quantity  of  baggage  were  trophies  of 
victory.  One  hundred  of  the  enemy  lay  dead  on 
the  ground.  The  American  loss,  although  not  ex 
actly  known,  was  said  not  to  be  more  than  30  killed 
and  100  wounded;  among  the  latter,  Generals  Ar 
nold  and  Lincoln,  both  in  the  leg,  the  former  but 
slightly;  it  was  problematical  whether  the  latter  was 
wounded  by  a  British  or  American  soldier.  Gen. 
Frazer,  an  enterprising  officer  of  the  British,  was 
mortally  wounded,  and  died  of  his  wounds. 

I5th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  a  body  of 
the  British  from  New  York,  in  about  30  transports, 


OCT.  i777l          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  141 

had  proceeded  up  the  Hudson;  they  had  made  sev 
eral  landings  below  and  at  Peekskill:  on  Monday 
the  6th  inst.  they  crossed  over,  and  landed  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  and  marched  along  the  hills 
towards  Fort  Montgomery  and  its  dependencies:  this 
fort  was  tolerably  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  Hud 
son,  to  annoy  shipping  going  up  the  river;  and  the 
works  were  pretty  good  on  that  side,  but  were  not 
so,  nor  fully  completed  on  the  back  side;  and  the 
right  flank  was  commanded  by  higher  ground  on 
the  south,  and  near  the  fort,  on  the  other  side  of 
Pooplop's  Creek,  the  mouth  of  which  was  near  to 
the  south  side  of  the  fort;  on  this  higher  ground, 
and  near  to  the  small  deep  pond,  a  strong  redoubt, 
called  Clinton,  was  erected;  it  was  equally  essential 
that  this  redoubt  should  be  taken,  as  a  reduction  of 
the  fort:  the  British  therefore  moved  against  this 
redoubt,  while  another  column,  by  a  more  circuitous 
movement,  fell  in  the  rear  of  Fort  Montgomery; 
they  were  met  in  the  defiles,  where  the  skirmishes 
were  sharp;  but  they  continued  to  advance  to  the 
redoubt,  which  was  nobly  defended,  and  before  which 
they  sustained  very  considerable  loss,  (a  number  of 
their  slain  were  afterwards  drawn  out  of  the  pond, 
where  they  had  been  thrown  for  concealment)  but 
soon  carried  it,  and  afterwards  Fort  Montgomery. 
The  garrison  principally  made  their  escape  in  the 
dusk  of  the  evening;  among  them  were  Gov.  Clinton, 
and  his  brother,  who  was  a  Brigadier-General  also: 
they  made  their  escape  in  a  very  hazardous  manner, 
and  the  latter  was  wounded.  After  the  reduction  of 
Fort  Montgomery,  the  Americans  evacuated  Fort 
Constitution,  and  the  block-house  on  Constitution 
Island,  opposite  to  West-Point  (the  latter  was  not 
yet  fortified;)  and  the  two  new  frigates,  Congress  and 
Montgomery,  which  lay  in  the  river,  were  set  on  fire 


i42  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i777 

by  the  Americans  and  burnt.  The  enemy  after 
wards  proceeded  up  the  river,  and  burnt  Esopus; 
their  object  was  if  possible  to  form  a  junction  with 
Burgoyne,  or  open  a  water  communication  to  Albany; 
and  spies  passed  between  them. 

1 6th. — Two  or  three  of  the  enemy's  cruisers  ap 
peared  in  the  bay,  but  a  few  leagues  from  the  Light. 
While  the  British  army  lay  encamped  at  German- 
town,  Gen.  Washington  resolved  to  attack  them. 
This  was  a  brave  design;  and  the  success  of  the  first 
onset,  at  about  3  o'clock,  A.  M.  of  the  4th  inst.  after 
the  Americans  had  marched  all  the  night,  was  equal 
to  the  design;  for  the  British,  where  the  attack  was 
first  made,  were  almost  instantly  pushed  from  their 
ground,  and  were  falling  back  panic  struck  on  their 
other  troops  when  Lieut.  Col.  Musgrove  had  the 
presence  of  mind  to  throw  several  companies  into  a 
strong  stone  house.  Houses  at  all  times,  and  es 
pecially  those  of  stone  and  brick,  under  a  judicious 
conduct,  admit  of  a  good  defence;  and  at  this  time 
probably  proved  the  means  of  the  Americans'  losing 
an  advantage,  which  no  one  can  tell  how  far  it  might 
have  been  pushed.  When  an  enemy  is  routed,  and 
panic  struck  are  flying  before  the  assailants,  the  best, 
if  not  the  only  way,  is  to  follow  them,  if  the  ground 
will  admit  of  it,  close  at  their  heels,  taking  care  not  to 
fall  into  ambuscades.  Thus  the  panic  of  fear  con 
tinues  to  multiply;  but  if  the  pursuers  stop,  and  es 
pecially  if  those  who  were  flying  hear  a  firing  behind 
them,  but  not  upon  them,  they  conclude  that  their 
own  troops  in  turn  have  gotten  an  advantage,  or  at 
least  are  holding  their  pursuers  at  bay.  This  im 
mediately  recovers  them  from  their  panic,  they  will 
next  return  to  the  charge,  and  will  be  more  likely  to 
make  an  obstinate  resistance  than  before  they  were 
at  first  routed;  while  their  return  to  the  charge  will 


UNIVE 


OCT.  1777]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  143 

greatly  damp  those  who  before  considered  themselves 
almost  in  the  grasp  of  victory.  Hence  what  took 
place  at  Germantown  was  no  wonder.  The  fog- 
giness  of  the  morning  was  unfortunate  for  the  Amer- 

O  O 

icans;  but  the  British  taking  possession  of  the  stone 
house,  and  defending  it,  was  the  most  unfortunate 
circumstance.  The  loss  on  both  sides  was  consid 
erable;  on  the  side  of  the  Americans,  Brig.  Gen.  Nash 
and  on  the  side  of  the  British,  Brig.  Gen.  Agnew, 
were  among  the  slain:  but  although  this  attempt  was 
not  crowned  with  victory,  it  caused  the  British  to 
have  a  more  reverential  opinion  of  Gen.  Washington, 
whom  they  now  found  dare  to  attack  their  whole 
army,  even  in  a  chosen  position  of  their  own.  Per 
haps  it  was  best  that  the  action  closed  as  it  did;  had 
the  Americans  made  their  way  far  into  the  long 
street  of  that  town,  probably  many  other  houses 
would  have  been  occupied  in  the  same  way.  The 
burying-yard,  with  a  strong  wall,  was  lined  with 
troops  by  the  enemy;  and  the  position  in  which  their 
army  lay  was  calculated  for  their  wings  closing  in 
to  much  advantage;  at  any  rate,  the  battle  must 
have  been  very  bloody,  and  situation  and  circum 
stances  were  in  favour  of  the  British.  After  the 
British  were  in  possession  of  Philadelphia,  they  had 
much  to  do  in  order  to  get  possession  of  the  Dela 
ware,  and  remove  the  obstructions  which  had  been 
formed  in  it.  There  were  also  several  works  to  be 
reduced  —  among  others,  a  fort  on  Mud  Island,  and 
a  pretty  strong  work  at  Red  Bank. 

22d.  —  Highly  important  and  most  interesting  in 
telligence  was  received  that  on  the  I7th  inst.  Gen. 
Burgoyne  and  his  whole  army  surrendered,  under 
Convention.  They  were  to  be  marched  to  the  neigh 
bourhood  of  Boston,  and  from  thence  sent  to  Eng 
land.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  news,  the  cannon  on 


i44  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [OCT.  i777 

Fort  Hill  were  discharged,  and  joy  was  seated  on 
every  brow. 

23d. — At  i  o'clock  P.M.  the  cannon  on  Fort  Hill, 
and  on  the  heights  of  Dorchester  were  discharged, 
and  also  on  board  the  ships  in  the  harbour.  In  the 
evening,  our  General's  quarters  (the  house  of  the 
late  Hon.  Mr.  Russell)  was  beautifully  illuminated. 
The  following  is  the  number  of  troops  which  sur 
rendered  to  Maj.  Gen.  Gates,  and  the  state  of  Gen. 
Burgoyne's  army  after  he  left  Canada: 

(Under   the    Convention.) 

British,     2,442 

Foreign,       2,198 

Canadians,  &c.  sent  back  to  Canada,    1,100 

Staff,  12 


Prisoners  taken  at  different  times,     400 

Sick  and  wounded,    528 

Deserters,    300 

Lost  at  Bennington,   1,220 

Killed  since  the  lyth  of  September,    600 

Killed  and  taken  at  Ticonderoga, 413 

Total,        9>2i3 

The  brass  ordnance  taken  were  as  follows:  2 
24-pounders;  4  12-pounders;  18  6-pounders;  4 
3-pounders;  2  8-inch  mortars;  5  howitzers;  total, 
35,  exclusive  of  those  taken  at  Bennington. 

Thus  were  the  British  totally  disappointed  in  this 
quarter.  The  troops  intended  to  form  a  junction 
on  the  Hudson  were  as  high  up  as  Poughkeepsie; 
and  Gen.  Burgoyne  informed  our  General  after  he 
arrived  at  Boston  that  on  the  evening  after  he  had 
proposed  to  Gen.  Gates  to  surrender,  in  case  he  could 


OCT.  i777l          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  145 

obtain  honourable  terms,  which  were  to  be  settled 
the  next  day,  a  spy  came  in  to  him  from  the  troops 
down  the  river,  stating  how  far  they  had  got  up,  and 
what  steps  were  next  to  be  taken;  on  which  he  (Gen. 
Burgoyne)  assembled  his  officers  more  generally  than 
usual  in  councils,  and  stated  to  them  the  circum 
stances  and  situation  of  both  armies,  and  whether, 
consistently  with  fair  principles  of  honour,  they  could 
break  off  the  negotiation  for  an  honourable  Con 
vention,  or  not;  when  it  was  the  unanimous  opinion 
of  every  officer  present  that  they  could  not.  But  in 
a  situation  like  his,  at  that  moment,  danger  at  hand 
is  more  powerful  on  the  mind  than  the  hope  of  relief 
at  a  distance.  The  troops  who  were  up  the  river 
returned  down. 

The  capture  of  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  his  whole  army, 
who  were  now  on  their  way  to  Boston,  opened  a  new, 
important,  and  delicate  field  for  our  General.  This 
army,  in  which  there  were  many  officers  of  military 
erudition,  and  some  of  refined  and  courtly  manners, 
who  had  a  high  opinion  of  national  honour  and 
prowess,  and  who,  in  consequence  of  the  Convention 
which  they  had  formed,  had  their  spirits  by  no  means 
depressed,  as  those  who  are  compelled  to  surrender 
at  discretion, — were  sure  to  lay  a  heavy  task  on  his 
shoulders.  As  soon  as  he  was  notified  that  these 
troops  were  coming  under  his  direction,  he  set  him 
self  in  earnest  to  prepare  for  their  reception.  The 
barracks  at  Prospect  and  Winter  Hills  were  directed 
to  be  put  instantly  in  order.  The  Council  was  ap 
plied  to,  to  aid  in  the  procurement  of  quarters  from 
the  citizens  for  the  officers;  nor  was  this  an  easy  task. 
The  families  of  the  citizens  generally  wanting  the 
room  in  their  respective  houses,  rendered  it  difficult 
to  obtain  so  many  quarters  as  were  necessary  for  so 
great  a  number,  and  extended  the  limits  of  the  parole 


146  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [Nov.i777 

very  considerably.  The  Council  were  disposed  to 
do  every  thing  in  their  power,  and  gave  orders  ac 
cordingly  whenever  they  were  necessary.  A  heavy 
duty  was  also  falling  on  the  Quarter-Master's  de 
partment,  as  it  respected  quarters,  and  also  fuel,  the 
latter  of  which  had  been  rendered  scarce  in  the  vici 
nity  by  the  American  army  having  been  here  in  1775; 
and  the  enemy's  cruisers  prevented  its  being  brought 
from  the  eastern  country.  But  the  exertions  of  Col. 
Chase,  who  was  Deputy-Quarter-Master-General, 
and  the  assistants  and  conductors  in  his  department, 
and  of  Col.  Davis,  who  was  Deputy-Barrack-Mas 
ter,  and  who,  in  the  procurement  of  fuel  was 
indefatigable,  a  comfortable  supply  was  obtained.  Be 
fore  the  arrival  of  the  troops  at  Cambridge,  our  Gen 
eral  had  digested  and  drafted  a  parole,  and  several 
articles  for  the  government  of  the  troops  in  quarters; 
these  he  had  drawn  in  as  an  article  in  the  parole;  and 
the  honour  of  the  officers  in  this  way  was  pledged 
for  their  observance  of  the  articles,  which  rendered 
the  government  of  them  much  easier;  being  thus 
bound  to  govern  themselves  with  propriety,  or  in 
fringe  their  paroles;  knowing  that  many  things  in 
minutiae  would  be  to  settle,  which  would  be  tedious 
in  an  epistolary  way.  As  soon  as  General  Burgoyne 
had  arrived  at  Cambridge,  our  General  sent  over  one 
of  his  aide-de-camps  to  invite  Gen.  Burgoyne  to  dine 
with  him  the  next  day,  bringing  with  him  his  two 
Major-Generals,  Phillips  and  Reidesel.  An  elegant 
dinner  was  prepared,  and  many  other  gentlemen  in 
vited,  among  whom  were  Generals  Glover  of  Massa 
chusetts,  and  Whipple  of  New  Hampshire,  who  were 
at  the  capture,  and  had  commanded  the  escort,  &c. 
from  Saratoga  to  Cambridge. 

November  8th. — Our  General  sent  one  of  his  Aides 
to  accompany  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  the  other  officers 


NOV.  i777]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  147 

into  Boston,  by  the  way  of  Roxbury;  they  arrived 
some  time  before  dinner,  as  was  intended,  that  busi 
ness  might  be  considered.  The  parole  was  shewn  to 
them,  and  the  articles  for  their  government  in  quar 
ters,  with  which  they  were  well  pleased.  But  here 
a  discovery  was  first  made  of  something  which  they 
wished  to  retain  while  in  our  country,  and  which 
our  General  would  never  for  a  moment  allow.  Gen. 
Phillips,  turning  to  our  General,  observed,  "Sir,  you 
well  know  the  disposition  of  soldiers,  and  that  they 
will  more  or  less  in  all  armies  commit  some  disor 
ders;  suppose  you  should  delegate  to  Gen.  Burgoyne 
the  power  of  seeing  your  orders  executed."  Our 
General  replied  that  he  knew  the  disposition  of  sol 
diers,  and  also  the  necessity  of  order  and  discipline; 
that  he  was  not  only  willing,  but  expected  that  Gen. 
Burgoyne,  and  every  other  officer,  would  exert  them 
selves  to  keep  order;  that  for  this  purpose  among 
themselves,  and  for  internal  order  and  obedience,  he 
might  command  and  punish  as  might  appear  to  be 
necessary;  but  in  no  case  to  attempt  capital  pun 
ishment.  But  as  to  the  exercise  of  his  own  command, 
and  enforcement  of  his  own  orders  when  necessary, 
was  a  jurisdiction  which  Gen.  Burgoyne  must  not 
expect  to  exercise  while  here.  Gen.  Burgoyne 
smiled,  and  Gen.  Phillips  turned  it  off  by  saying,  "I 
only  meant  it  for  your  easement,  Sir." 

Before  dinner  was  done,  so  great  was  the  curiosity 
of  the  citizens  of  both  sexes,  and  of  all  ages  and  de 
scriptions,  to  get  a  peep  at  Gen.  Burgoyne  that  the 
streets  were  filled,  the  doors,  windows,  the  tops  of 
the  houses  and  fences  crowded.  Gen.  Burgoyne  had 
asked  our  General  if  he  would  indulge  him  to  go  out 
of  town  by  the  way  of  Charlestown,  which  was  in 
stantly  granted.  When  he  was  ready  to  depart,  our 
General  told  him  that  he  should  accompany  him  to 


148  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [NOV.  i777 

the  ferry;  and  a  procession  was  formed,  the  American 
gentlemen  mixing  with  the  British.  The  streets  were 
so  crowded  that  it  was  difficult  getting  along;  but  not 
a  word  or  a  gesture  that  was  disrespectful.  When 
arrived  opposite  to  the  Province  House,  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne  turned  round  to  the  other  Generals,  and 
observed,  "There  is  the  former  residence  of  the  Gov 
ernor;'*  when  some  person  on  the  side  of  the  street, 
and  in  a  tone  fully  to  be  heard,  added,  "and  on  the 
other  side  is  the  riding-school ;"  alluding  to  the  Old 
South  Meeting-House  having  been  put  to  that  use 
in  1775:  but  the  General,  who  must  have  heard  it, 
made  no  reply,  but  soon  after  observed,  "Sir,  I  am 
astonished  at  the  civility  of  your  people;  for  were  you 
walking  the  streets  of  London  in  my  situation,  you 
would  not  escape  insult."  When  arrived  at  the 
ferry-ways,  the  crowd  were  down  to  the  water's  edge; 
but  when  the  boat  put  off,  there  was  not  the  least 

indecency,  or  wry  countenance  discovered. O  my 

dear  countrymen!  how  did  this  your  dignified  con 
duct  at  that  moment  charm  my  very  soul!  Such 
conduct  flows  from  a  greatness  of  mind  that  goes  to 
conquer  a  world. 

Col.  Keith  was  appointed  Deputy-Adjutant-Gen 
eral,  and  Maj.  Swasey  Town-Major. 

I4th. — The  Council  were  still  deliberating  on  the 
subject  of  quarters,  and  determined  to  do  every  thing 
in  their  power;  but  some  individuals  were  refractory. 

igth. — Gen.  Hancock  arrived  in  town,  and  was 
saluted  by  the  discharge  of  the  cannon  of  the  Fort, 
Park,  &c. 

22d. — Intelligence  was  received  of  the  repulse  of 
the  enemy,  before  the  redoubt  at  Red  Bank,  on  the 
22d  ult.  This  redoubt  or  fort  had  a  garrison  by  no 
means  sufficient  properly  to  man  the  whole  work. 
The  commanding  officer  had  therefore  wisely  les- 


NOV.  1777]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  149 

sened  it,  by  running  a  parapet  with  a  ditch  across  the 
area  of  the  fort,  but  had  left  the  work  entire  in  its 
largest  extent.  A  body  of  chosen  troops  were  sent 
to  reduce  this  work  under  the  command  of  the  Hes 
sian  Col.  Donop,  a  brave  and  good  officer.  In  order 
if  possible  to  get  some  idea  of  the  work,  he  sent  his 
summons  for  the  fort  to  surrender  by  a  very  capable 
adjutant;  but  the  commandant  of  the  fort  took  care 
to  have  him  stopped  without  the  work,  and  where  he 
had  no  opportunity  to  see  more  than  the  ditch  and 
parapet  on  that  side.  The  commanding  officer  re 
fusing  to  surrender,  an  assault  was  made;  the  as 
sailants  at  the  head  of  the  column  bringing  in  their 
hands  a  sufficient  number  of  short  fascines  to  fill  the 
ditch  where  they  meant  to  pass,  which  was  well  done, 
and  the  parapet  was  mounted;  but  to  their  disap 
pointment  and  surprise,  they  now  found  there  was 
another  ditch  and  parapet  to  pass,  and  in  the  face 
of  a  dreadful  fire,  too,  which  made  great  slaughter; 
a  number  of  them,  however,  advanced  into  the  second 
ditch,  and  began  to  remove  the  frizes  on  the  berme, 
but  these  were  generally  killed  in  the  ditch,  and  such 
as  were  not  killed  or  wounded  obliged  to  quit  the 
outer  work.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was 
great;  among  the  latter,  Col.  Donop  mortally;  he 
was  taken  after  the  action  near  the  fort,  and  brought 
in.  An  ensign  had  made  his  way  over  the  second 
ditch,  had  got  on  to  the  frizes,  and  lay  close  against 
the  base  of  the  parapet  until  the  action  was  over, 
and  then  got  up  and  surrendered,  observing  that  he 
thought  his  position  the  only  safe  one;  for  had 
he  attempted  to  put  his  head  above  the  parapet  he 
knew  his  brains  would  have  been  instantly  blown 
out;  or  if  he  had  attempted  to  re-cross  the  ditch,  he 
should  have  been  shot  in  the  back.  Besides  this 
severe  check,  the  British  met  with  considerable  op- 


i5o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  i777 

position  and  loss  at  other  places,  before  they  got  full 
and  peaceable  possession  of  the  river;  particularly  at 
Mud  Island.  They  lost  the  Augusta  man-of-war, 
and  suffered  other  naval  damage. 

Gen.  Washington  being  now  considerably  rein 
forced  with  a  part  of  the  northern  conquering  army, 
advanced  to  White  Marsh,  about  14  miles  from  Phil 
adelphia,  where  he  encamped  in  a  strong  and  well 
chosen  position.  Gen.  Howe,  apprehensive  that  this 
movement  indicated  a  design  upon  Philadelphia, 
determined  to  move  out,  and  either  invite  Gen.  Wash 
ington  to  a  general  action,  or,  if  he  found  him  vulner 
able,  to  attack  him  in  his  own  position.  Accord 
ingly,  on  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  December,  he 
marched  with  the  British  army,  and  on  the  next 
morning  took  post  on  Chestnut  Hill,  in  front  of  the 
American  right.  Gen.  Washington,  knowing  the 
goodness  of  his  position,  wisely  continued  in  it  nor 
dare  Gen.  Howe  attack  him.  The  latter  then 
changed  his  ground  to  a  new  position,  opposite  to 
the  American  left  and  centre;  but  neither  dare  he 
attack  either  of  these.  Several  skirmishes  took  place, 
as  is  usual  in  such  cases;  in  one  of  which  Brig.  Gen. 
Irwin  on  the  American  side  was  wounded.  After 
several  days  spent  in  this  way,  Howe  was  obliged  to 
return,  without  effecting  any  thing,  to  the  no  small 
injury  of  his  army,  who  had  suffered  much  from  the 
inclemency  of  the  season.  Indeed  nothing  is  more 
destructive  to  an  army  than  winter  campaigns.  After 
this,  Gen.  Washington  moved  the  American  army  to 
Valley  Forge,  on  the  Schuylkill,  about  16  miles  from 
Philadelphia,  where  he  took  a  position  as  wisely 
chosen  as  the  other,  and  where  the  army  erected  huts 
for  the  winter. 

We  now  return  to  take  up  our  chain  of  events. 


NOV.  1777]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  151 

23d. — A  French  ship,  with  dry  goods  from  France, 
by  the  way  of  St.  Peters,  arrived  at  Boston. 

Gen.  Burgoyne  had  not  yet  signed  the  parole;  he 
pretended  to  delay  until  their  quarters  were  fully 
furnished,  although  he  had  every  assurance  that  it 
should  be  done  as  fast  as  circumstances  would  pos 
sibly  admit.  On  this  day,  therefore,  our  General 
wrote  him  the  following  letter: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  Nov.  23,  1777. 
"SiR, 

"TWO  weeks  have  now  elapsed  since  I  had  fully 
expected  that  the  officers  would  have  signed  their 
paroles.  They  have,  during  this  time,  been  enjoying 
in  a  great  measure  the  liberty  of  the  limits  intended 
to  be  assigned  to  them,  without  pledging  their  hon 
our  by  parole;  which  is  not  only  contrary  to  the  es 
tablished  custom  of  nations,  but  contrary  to  the 
eleventh  article  of  the  Convention.  Whatever  ob 
jections  might  at  first  be  made  to  giving  the  parole, 
must  now  be  done  away,  by  the  fullest  evidence  that 
proper  quarters  shall  be  provided,  and  which  in  a 
very  considerable  degree  is  already  done.  I  must 
therefore,  in  the  most  explicit  terms,  insist  that  the 
officers  who  wish  and  expect  to  be  permitted  on  pa 
role,  agreeably  to  the  Convention,  do  sign  it  to-mor 
row.  This  is  so  reasonable,  that  I  expect  there  will 
be  no  further  hesitancy;  and  I  still  assure  your  Excel 
lency,  that  no  endeavours  of  mine  shall  be  wanting 
to  fulfil  the  Convention,  and  to  treat  the  officers  with 
politeness  and  generosity. 
I  am,  &c. 

(Signed)       WILLIAM  HEATH. 

To  Lieut.  Gen.  BURGOYNE. " 

25th. — Gen.  Burgoyne  and  the  other  officers  of 
the  Convention  signed  their  parole. 


152"  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [Nov.  i777 

Congress  before  this,  viz.  on  the  8th  instant,  passed 
the  following  resolve: 

In  Congress,  Nov.  8,  1777. 

"Resolved,  That  Maj.  Gen.  Heath  be  directed 
forthwith  to  cause  to  be  taken  down  the  name  and 
rank  of  every  commissioned  officer,  and  the  name, 
former  place  of  abode  and  occupation,  size,  age,  and 
description  of  every  non-commissioned  officer  and 
private  soldier,  and  all  other  persons  comprehended 
in  the  Convention  made  between  Lieut.  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne  and  Maj.  Gen.  Gates,  on  the  i6th  day  of  Oc 
tober,  1777,  and  transmit  an  authentic  copy  thereof 
to  the  Board  of  War,  in  order  that  if  any  officer  or 
soldier,  or  other  person  as  above  mentioned,  of  the 
said  army,  shall  hereafter  be  found  in  arms  against 
these  States  in  North  America,  during  the  present 
contest,  he  may  be  convicted  of  the  offence,  and 
suffer  the  punishment  in  such  case  inflicted  by  the 
law  of  nations. 

"That  Maj.  Gen.  Heath  be  directed  to  take  the 
parole  in  writing  of  the  officers,  according  to  the 
Convention,  and  transmit  authenticated  copies  of 
such  paroles  to  the  Board  of  War." 

Extract  from  the  Minutes, 
(Signed)  CHARLES  THOMSON,  Sec'y.* 

Upon  the  foregoing  being  communicated  to  Gen. 
Burgoyne,  and  he  called  upon  to  have  the  said  de 
scriptive  lists  made  out  accordingly,  he  wrote  our 
General  the  following  letter: 

CAMBRIDGE,  Nov.  20,  1777. 
"Sm, 

"I  RECEIVED  a  paper,  dated  Head-Quarters, 
Boston,  Nov.  2Oth,  purporting  to  be  founded  upon 
*  See  Appendix  XVII. 


NOV.  i777l          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  153 

express  orders  from  the  Honourable  Continental  Con 
gress,  which  paper  I  return  as  inadmissible,  because 
extending  to  matters  in  which  the  Congress  have  no 
right  of  interference. 

"A  list  of  the  names  and  rank  of  every  commis 
sioned  officer,  and  the  numbers  of  the  non-commis 
sioned  officers  and  soldiers,  may  be  necessary  to  you, 
Sir,  for  the  purpose  of  fulfilling  the  Convention,  in 
quartering  officers,  and  the  regular  delivery  of  pro 
visions,  fuel,  &c.  Such  lists  shall  be  prepared  at 
your  request;  but  before  any  other  lists  can  be 
granted,  I  must  be  assured  of  the  purposes  for  which 
they  are  intended,  and  the  word  order  must  neither  be 
mentioned  nor  implied. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,   &c. 
(Signed)        J.  BURGOYNE,  Lieut.  Gen. 
To  Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

To  the  foregoing,  our  General  wrote  an  answer 
as  follows: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  Nov.  21,  1777. 
"SiR, 

"  YOURS  of  yesterday  is  before  me;  and  although 
you  might  at  first  imagine  that  the  Hon.  Continental 
Congress  have  no  right  of  interference  in  matters  of 
the  Convention,  yet  I  conclude  upon  further  reflec 
tion  you  must  be  convinced,  that  as  that  body  are  the 
Representatives  of  that  people  who  are  to  reap  the 
advantages  or  disadvantages  of  the  Convention,  and 
as  all  Continental  officers  are  acting  by  virtue  of  their 
authority,  and  under  their  direction,  they  assuredly 
have  a  right  of  interference,  and  to  give  such  orders 
to  their  officers  as  they  may  think  proper,  for  the  full 
completion  of  the  Convention,  and  for  the  safety  and 
good  of  the  people. 


154  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  1777 

"The  paragraph  of  my  orders  of  the  2Oth  inst. 
respecting  the  troops  of  the  Convention  is  founded 
in  reason  and  justice,  being  designed  only  to  ascer 
tain  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  were  comprehended 
in  the  Convention,  that  in  case  any  of  them  (con 
trary  to  their  faith  and  honour)  should  hereafter  be 
found  in  arms  against  these  States,  in  North  Amer 
ica,  during  the  present  contest,  they  may  be  convicted 
of  the  offence,  and  suffer  the  punishment  in  such  case 
inflicted  by  the  law  of  nations.  I  must  therefore 
insist  that  you  furnish  me  with  proper  lists  of  names, 
and  descriptions,  for  the  purpose  before  mentioned 
as  soon  as  may  be. 

"The  other  lists  of  the  names  and  rank  of  the 
commissioned  officers,  and  number  of  non-commis 
sioned  officers  and  soldiers,  so  essentially  necessary 
for  the  several  purposes  of  regularity  with  quarter 
masters  and  commissaries  (and  which  should  be  fre 
quently  renewed,  as  circumstances  may  vary)  should 
long  ere  this  have  been  exhibited.  Some  days  since, 
I  directed  my  Deputy-Adjutant-General  to  call  for 
them;  and  I  expect  they  will  be  sent  in  without  delay, 
for  the  purposes  above  mentioned. 

"I  shall  at  all  times  endeavour  to  found  my  orders 
on  the  principles  of  honour,  reason  and  justice,  and 
not  to  infringe  those  delicate  principles  in  others; 
but  my  orders  for  the  purposes  of  order  and  regu 
larity  must  be  obeyed  by  every  man  and  all  bodies 
of  men  placed  under  my  direction;  and  fully  deter 
mined  I  am,  that  offenders  shall  not  pass  with 
impunity. 

I  am,    &c. 
(Signed)  W.  HEATH,  Maj.  Gen. 

Lieut.  Gen.  BURGOYNE." 

23d. — Gen.  Burgoyne  wrote  an  answer  to  the  fore- 


Nov.I777]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  155 

going.  But  he  now  acknowledged  a  further  extent 
of  the  supreme  power,  than  in  his  former  letter;  but 
still  at  least  obliquely  denied  the  right  of  their  inter 
ference  with  the  Convention  troops,  who  were  under 
express  stipulations  until  they  quitted  the  country, 
and  that  no  new  conditions  could  be  imposed  upon 
them;  and  asserting  that  no  such  requisitions  were 
laid  upon  the  American  prisoners  in  Canada;  and 
concluding,  that  if  it  could  be  found  that  such  had 
been  required  by  the  British  in  any  case,  he  would 
submit  to  it.  About  this  time,  an  officer,  who  had 
been  a  prisoner  in  Canada,  returned  to  Boston  on 
parole,  and  gave  information  that  he  and  others  had 
complied  with  similar  injunctions  before  they  came 
away;  upon  this  being  communicated  to  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne,  he  found  that  he  had  got  to  the  end  of  his 
tether  of  evasion;  he  did  not  attempt  to  dispute  more, 
but  observed,  that  he  supposed  if  it  was  done  any 
time  before  the  troops  departed,  it  would  answer  the 
purpose.  Our  General  found  that  nothing  could  be 
done  by  force,  for  were  he  to  attempt  of  himself  to 
have  the  lists  taken,  every  thing  might  be  evaded 
except  the  size  and  complexion.  He  therefore  laid 
the  matter  before  Congress,  with  the  copies  of  what 
had  passed.  Congress  took  the  matter  into  consid 
eration,  and  President  Laurens  wrote  our  General 
an  approbation  of  his  conduct,  and  not  to  push  the 
matter,  as  Congress  would  take  a  more  extensive  view 
of  the  business;  concluding  his  letter,  "I  have  in  con 
clusion  to  assure  you,  Sir,  that  Congress  repose  the 
"utmost  confidence  in  your  address  and  abilities  for 
"conducting  with  propriety  this  important  business, 
"in  which,  on  one  side,  the  faith  and  honour  of  these 
"infant  States  are  to  be  preserved,  and  on  the  other, 
"the  magnanimity  and  resolution  of  Congress  to  be 
"exemplified." 


156  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [JAN.  i778 

December. — Congress  had  received  some  intima 
tions  that  an  application  would  be  made  to  them 
for  leave  for  the  troops  of  the  Convention  to  embark 
at  some  other  place  than  Boston;  they  therefore  on 
the  ist  of  December  passed  a  resolution  that  no 
other  place  than  that  stipulated  in  the  Convention, 
viz.  Boston,  should  be  admitted.  A  few  days  after, 
Gen.  Burgoyne  applied,  as  was  suspected,  but  to  no 
purpose. 

Congress  also  passed  resolutions  that  all  the  as 
sistance  of  provisions  and  other  necessaries  furnished 
to  the  troops  of  the  Convention  should  be  paid  for 
in  specie,  or  replaced  in  quantity  and  quality. 

1778.  'January. — Gen.  Burgoyne  had  now  got 
himself  into  a  very  serious  entanglement;  he  had  not 
only  refused,  and  then  delayed  to  give  descriptive 
lists  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention,  but  some  time 
before,  viz.  in  the  month  of  November,  had  written 
a  letter  to  Gen.  Gates  complaining  that  the  troops 
had  not  been  furnished  with  quarters  as  they  had  a 
right  to  expect,  and  among  other  things  a  paragraph 
as  follows: 

"While  I  state  to  you,  Sir,  this  very  unexpected 
treatment,  I  entirely  acquit  Maj.  Gen.  Heath  and 
every  gentleman  of  the  military  department  of  any 
inattention  to  the  public  faith  engaged  in  the  Con 
vention.  They  do  what  they  can;  but  while  the 
Supreme  Powers  of  the  State  are  unable  or  unwil 
ling  to  enforce  their  authority,  and  the  inhabitants 
want  the  hospitality,  or  indeed  the  common  civiliza 
tion  to  assist  us  without  it,  the  public  faith  is  broke, 
and  we  are  the  immediate  sufferers." 

This  was  unreasonable,  as  it  respected  both  the 
civil  power,  and  the  people;  for  the  former  did  every 
thing  in  their  power,  unless  they  had  turned  the 
citizens  out  of  their  houses  to  have  let  the  Conven- 


jAN.i778]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  157 

tion  officers  in,  which  was  not  to  be  expected;  nor 
could  it  be  supposed  that  the  citizens  would  turn 
their  families  themselves  into  the  streets.  But  Con 
gress  considered  the  conduct  of  Gen.  Burgoyne,  and 
these  and  other  of  his  expressions  on  the  occasion, 
as  calling  for  serious  consideration.  They  therefore 
investigated  the  whole  in  all  its  latitudes;  and  the 
President  of  Congress  wrote  our  General  that  as  it 
was  a  matter  of  high  importance,  and  required  deep 
deliberation,  it  would  probably  occupy  some  days 
before  the  resolutions  would  be  completed.  But  that 
in  case  the  fleet  arrived  before  the  papers  were  sent 
to  him,  to  forbid  the  embarkation. 

Gen.  Burgoyne  had  received  intimations  that  a 
fleet  of  transports  were  about  to  come  round  for  the 
troops,  and  that  the  Juno  frigate  was  to  wear  a  flag 
for  his  particular  accommodation.  This  he  men 
tioned  to  our  General,  and  wished  to  know  if  the 
frigate  might  come  up  into  the  harbour.  Our  Gen 
eral  had  no  apprehensions  of  any  danger  from  a 
frigate  entering  the  harbour,  but  apprehended  that 
some  people  might  think  that  he  was  not  sufficiently 
vigilant,  in  case  he  allowed  it.  He  therefore  told 
Gen.  Burgoyne  that  the  frigate  could  not  come  up 
into  the  harbour,  and  hinted  to  him  the  taking  one 
of  the  most  convenient  transports  in  the  fleet  for  the 
purpose;  and  he  might  do  as  he  pleased  when  he  got 
off.  This  touched  Gen.  Burgoyne  exceedingly,  who 
wrote  a  letter  to  our  General,  in  which  was  the  fol 
lowing  paragraph: 

"As  to  your  allotment  of  a 'convenient  transport* 
for  my  passage,  if  it  was  from  yourself,  I  am  to 
thank  you  Sir,  for  a  sort  of  insult  which  the  most 
haughty  man  of  office  would  be  ashamed  of  in  any 
other  country.  However,  as  I  am  determined  every 


158  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          QAN.  i778 

transaction  concerning  this  Convention  shall  be  no 
torious,  and  beyond  the  powers  of  subterfuge  to  ex 
plain  away,  I  have  directed  the  frigate  together  with 
the  transports  to  come  round,  and  it  will  then  be  for 
you,  Sir,  to  prohibit  the  entry  of  Boston  harbour  to 
any  ships  bearing  a  flag  of  truce,  and  declaring  they 
are  sent  for  the  express  purpose  of  conveying  to 
Great  Britain  any  part  of  the  troops  of  the  Conven 
tion. 

(Signed)  J.  BURGOYNE. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

To  which  our  General  wrote  the  following  an 
swer: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  Jan.  5,  1778. 

"Sm, 

"YOUR  Excellency's  favour  of  yesterday  came 
duly  to  hand;  and  I  must  confess  I  was  not  a  little 
surprised  at  some  expressions  in  it. 

"As  by  the  Convention,  transports  only  are  stip 
ulated  to  receive  the  troops,  I  submit  to  you,  Sir, 
whether  a  hint  (if  you  were  even  sure  that  it  came 
from  myself)  that  you  should  take  a  convenient  one, 
rather  than  introduce  a  frigate,  which  is  neither  ex 
pressed  or  implied  in  the  Convention,  merits  those 
epithets  which  you  are  pleased  to  bestow  on  me. 

"I  have  ever  aimed  to  treat  you  with  politeness; 
and  the  plighted  faith  and  honour  of  my  country  re 
quire  me  to  pay  strict  attention  to  the  Convention  on 
their  part:  of  course,  when  transports  arrive  to  re 
ceive  the  troops,  they  will  enter  the  harbour;  and  if 
you  can  find  by  the  Convention  that  a  frigate  is  to 
enter  for  the  particular  reception  of  yourself,  she  will 
not  be  prohibited.  But  if  it  is  rather  uncommon 
for  ships  of  war  to  bear  flags  of  truce,  and  if  con- 


JAN.  i778]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  159 

senting  to  it  in  the  present  case  should  appear  to  be 
rather  an  act  of  politeness  and  generosity  than  other 
wise,  I  leave  you  to  your  own  reflections  whether  you 
have  made  choice  of  the  most  happy  expressions  to 
obtain  it. 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Lieut.  Gen.  BURGOYNE." 

Gen.  Burgoyne  somehow  communicated  to  Vis 
count  Howe  the  subject  of  the  frigate,  who  wrote 
Gen.  Burgoyne  the  following  letter  some  time  after, 
but  before  the  transports  came  round: 

EAGLE,  RHODE  ISLAND,  Feb.  3,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"I  AM  much  concerned  to  find  by  your  letter,  I 
had  the  honour  to  receive  from  you,  on  the  return 
of  Capt.  Piper,  that  you  have  suffered  so  greatly  in 
your  health.  But  I  hope  that  a  speedy  removal  to 
a  milder  climate  will  contribute  to  your  effectual 
recovery. 

"The  transports  have  only  been  delayed  to  take 
the  precautions  necessary  for  their  safe  passage  at 
this  season  of  the  year.  As  it  is  not  to  be  expected 
that  the  frigate  ordered  for  your  reception,  though 
carrying  a  flag  of  truce,  and  restricted  from  every 
act  of  hostility  in  consequence,  whilst  attending  this 
service,  should  be  admitted  within  the  port  of  Bos 
ton,  the  commander,  Capt.  Jacobs,  will  be  to  land 
a  letter  under  the  same  sanction,  for  giving  you  notice 
of  his  arrival  off  the  entrance  of  the  port.  He  will 
wait  to  be  favoured  in  your  answer  with  notice  of 
the  time  you  may  expect  to  embark,  on  which  oc 
casion,  I  trust  you  will  find  every  facility  that  your 
impaired  state  of  health  may  require. 

(Signed)  HOWE." 


160  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          QAN.i778 

Thus  did  the  Admiral's  opinion  perfectly  coincide 
with  that  of  our  General's. 

But  Congress  had  passed  a  resolution,  on  the  8th 
day  of  January,  upon  principles  clearly  expressed  in 
a  report  of  a  committee,  upon  which  the  resolution 
was  founded: 

"That  the  embarkation  of  Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne, 
and  the  troops  under  his  command,  be  suspended 
till  a  distinct  and  explicit  ratification  of  the  Conven 
tion  of  Saratoga  shall  be  properly  notified  by  the 
Court  of  Great  Britain,  to  Congress." 

Our  General's  correspondence  with  Gen.  Bur 
goyne,  respecting  the  frigate,  &c.  was  transmitted  to 
Congress,  and  the  President  soon  after  wrote  him: 

"The  House  appeared  to  be  pleased  with  your 
conduct  in  every  respect  relative  to  that  officer." 

Gen.  Burgoyne  applied  to  Congress  for  leave  to 
go  to  Europe  himself;  but  Congress  did  not  then 
think  proper  to  grant  his  request.  Although  this 
denial  must  have  been  very  painful  to  the  General, 
he  did  not  express  himself,  or  write  any  thing  in  the 
least  improper.  He  observed  to  our  General  that 
he  was  sorry;  for  that  not  only  his  health  urged  his 
departure,  but  that  every  day  he  was  detained  here, 
gave  his  enemies  at  home  an  opportunity  for  pierc 
ing  the  wound  of  his  reputation  the  deeper. 

But  Col.  Kingston  was  not  so  prudent  as  the  Gen 
eral:  a  packet  of  letters  which  Gen.  Burgoyne  wished 
to  send  to  Gen.  Howe  was  sent  to  our  General  for 
inspection;  among  these  was  one  from  Col.  Kingston 
to  Lord  Harcourt,  in  which,  after  observing  that 
fortune  had  not  shewn  them  the  smooth  side  of  her 
face,  yet  they  thought  their  misfortunes  honourable, 
proceeded,  that  he,  (Gen.  Burgoyne)  was  not  well, 
but  you  know  his  firmness.  But  I  think,  "the  in 
sincerity  of  France,  bigotry  of  Spain,  or  the  vindic- 


jAN.i778]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  161 

tive  Portuguese,  situated  as  he  is,  would  not  have 
sought  for  means  unnecessarily  to  detain  him."  This 
insult  to  the  authority  of  the  country  induced  our 
General  to  detain  this  letter,  and  he  notified  Gen. 
Burgoyne  of  it,  adding,  that  while  it  was  his  wish  to 
gratify  the  officers  as  much  as  possible  in  writing  to 
their  friends,  he  expected  they  would  be  cautious 
and  prudent  in  their  manner  of  expression.  When 
the  American  Deputy-Adjutant-General  gave  the 
letter  from  our  General  to  Gen.  Burgoyne,  and  he 
had  read  it,  he  observed,  "  I  told  Col.  Kingston  that 
Gen.  Heath  would  not  let  that  letter  pass;"  he  should 
have  done  more — forbid  his  making  the  attempt. 

Another  serious  matter  took  place  about  this  time: 
Col.  Henley,  who  had  the  immediate  command  at 
Cambridge,  a  brave  and  good  officer,  but  warm  and 
quick  in  his  natural  temper,  having  ordered  some 
prisoners  who  were  under  guard  turned  out,  that  he 
might  examine  them,  one  of  them  treated  him,  as  he 
judged,  with  much  insolence;  upon  which  he  pricked 
him  with  a  sword,  or  bayonet.  Gen.  Burgoyne  im 
mediately  presented  a  complaint  against  Col.  Henley, 
charging  him  with  barbarous  and  wanton  conduct, 
and  intentional  murder,  as  appears  in  the  following 
letter: 

CAMBRIDGE,  Jan.  gtb,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"A  REPORT  has  been  made  to  me  of  a  disturb 
ance  that  happened  at  the  barracks  on  Wednesday 
afternoon,  for  which  I  am  much  concerned;  and 
though  the  provocations  from  your  people,  which 
originally  occasioned  it,  were  of  the  most  atrocious 
nature,  I  was  willing  the  offender  on  our  part  should 
be  properly  punished.  But  Col.  Henley,  not  con 
tent  with  that,  made  prisoners  of  eighteen  innocent 
men,  and  sent  them  on  board  a  guard-ship,  as  alleged 


162  HEATHS    MEMOIRS          [JAN.  i778 

by  your  order.  It  is  not  only  a  duty  to  my  situation 
to  demand  the  immediate  discharge  of  these  men, 
together  with  a  satisfactory  apology;  but  I  also  mean 
it  as  an  attention  to  you,  Sir,  that  I  give  you  an  im 
mediate  opportunity  to  disavow  so  unjustifiable  a 
proceeding,  as  committing  men  to  the  worst  of  pris 
ons  upon  vague  report,  caprice  and  passion. 

"Insults  and  provocations,  at  which  the  most 
placid  dispositions  would  revolt,  are  daily  given  to 
the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  army.  Regular,  de 
cent  complaints  are  received  by  your  officers,  some 
times  with  haughtiness,  sometimes  with  derision,  but 
always  without  redress.  These  evils  flow,  Sir,  from 
the  general  tenor  of  language  and  conduct  held  by 
Col.  Henley,  which  encourages  his  inferiors,  and 
seems  calculated  to  excite  the  most  bloody  purposes. 

"For  want  of  sufficient  information,  and  not 
bringing  myself  to  believe  it  possible  that  facts  as  re 
lated  by  common  report  could  be  true,  I  have  hith 
erto  declined  taking  public  notice  of  this  man;  but 
upon  positive  grounds,  I  now  and  hereby  formally 
accuse  Col.  Henley  of  behaviour  heinously  criminal 
as  an  officer,  and  unbecoming  a  man;  of  the  most 
indecent,  violent,  vindictive  severity  against  unarmed 
men;  and  of  intentional  murder.  I  demand  prompt 
and  satisfactory  justice,  and  will  not  doubt  your 
readiness  to  give  it.  Whenever  you  will  inform  me 
that  a  proper  tribunal  is  appointed,  I  will  take  care 
that  undeniable  evidence  shall  be  produced  to  sup 
port  these  charges. 

I  am,  &c. 
(Signed)  J.  BURGOYNE." 

To  which  our  General  returned  the  following  an 
swer: 


jAN.i778]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  163 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON, 

Jan.  iQthy  1778. 
"SiR, 

"YOURS,  of  yesterday's  date,  I  received  the  last 
evening.  What  provocations  you  allude  to,  as  having 
been  offered  by  my  troops,  I  am  at  loss  to  determine. 
The  insults  and  abuses  which  they  have  received,  I 
will  venture  to  say,  unless  I  have  been  most  grossly 
misinformed,  are  unparalleled;  and  whether  you  are 
willing,  or  unwilling,  Sir,  offenders  shall  no  longer 
pass  with  impunity. 

"  If  it  can  be  made  to  appear  that  any  of  those 
soldiers  sent  to  the  guard-ship  by  my  orders  are  in 
nocent,  they  shall  be  released  from  their  confine 
ment:  but  with  respect  to  such  as  have  been  guilty 
of  violating  my  standing  orders  of  the  garrison,  in 
stead  of  disavowing  or  making  any  apology  for  the 
confinement  of  such,  be  assured  that  I  do  most  ex 
plicitly  avow  it.  And  as  I  have  before  observed  to 
your  Excellency  in  a  former  letter,  of  which  you  may 
be  assured,  I  shall  at  all  times  endeavour  to  found 
my  orders  on  the  principles  of  honour,  reason  and 
justice,  and  not  to  infringe  those  delicate  principles 
in  others:  so  also  be  assured,  Sir,  that  such  my  orders 
shall  be  obeyed  by  every  officer  and  soldier  placed 
under  my  direction;  and  such  as  have  the  hardiness 
to  transgress  them,  shall  abide  the  consequences. 

"I  have  been  informed  of  late,  that  some  have 
hinted,  that  such  of  your  troops  as  break  my  orders, 
ought  to  be  tried  and  punished  by  your  orders. 
Even  the  mention  of  such  a  thing,  I  conceive  to  be 
(to  use  your  own  words  in  a  late  letter,  with  a  little 
variation)  a  sort  of  insult,  that  a  man  of  military 
erudition  in  any  country  would  be  ashamed  of,  as 
being  repugnant  to  every  idea  of  military  discipline; 


164  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          QAN.  i778 

and  from  my  opinion  of  your  military  knowledge,  I 
cannot  admit  that  you  ever  hinted  it. 

"To  convince  you  that  it  is  my  fixed  determina 
tion  to  inquire  into  all  abuses,  whether  committed 
by  my  own  troops,  or  those  of  the  Convention,  whilst 
they  remain  within  my  department,  I  have  ordered 
Col.  Henley  under  arrest,  and  appointed  a  Court  of 
Inquiry,  whereof  Brig.  Gen.  Glover  is  President,  to 
examine  into  the  grounds  of  your  complaint,  on 
Wednesday  next,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  at  Cambridge; 
and  if  any  complaints  have  heretofore  passed  unre- 
dressed  it  is  because  they  have  not  been  laid  before 
me.  You  hinted  to  me,  when  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you  last  at  Cambridge,  that  one  of  my  officers 
had  been  enticing  some  of  the  troops  of  the  Con 
vention  to  enter  our  service.  I  then  informed  you 
that  if  you  would  send  the  complaint,  I  would  im 
mediately  bring  the  officer  to  trial.  You  promised 
to  do  it,  but  I  have  not  yet  received  it.  I  now  call 
upon  you  to  exhibit  that  charge,  or  any  other,  that 
you  have  to  make  against  any  officer  under  my  com 
mand,  for  practices  of  that  kind,  or  any  other;  being 
with  yourself  fully  determined  that  all  my  conduct 
respecting  the  Convention  shall  be  notorious,  and 
beyond  the  powers  of  subterfuge  to  explain  away. 
Complaints  of  most  enormous  abuses  have  lately 
been  made  to  me;  one,  of  the  conduct  of  a  number 
of  officers  on  the  evening  or  night  of  the  25th  of 
December,  at  Bradish's  Tavern;  others,  of  prisoners 
being  rescued  from  the  guards — sentinels  abused 
and  insulted  on  their  posts — passes  counterfeited, 
and  others  filled  up  in  the  most  affrontive  manner; 
and  of  late,  several  highway  robberies  committed  in 
the  environs  of  the  garrison — one  the  last  evening, 
in  which  a  gentleman  was  robbed  of  between  7  and 
800  dollars,  and  a  watch.  The  robberies  I  do  not 


jAN.i778]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  165 

charge  to  your  people,  as  it  is  unknown  who  were 
the  perpetrators;  but  there  are  several  reasons  to 
suspect  it.  All  these,  Sir,  tend  not  only  to  exas 
perate  the  troops,  but  to  enrage  the  inhabitants  of 
the  country,  who  view  such  abuses  as  unsufferable. 
I  therefore  call  upon  you  to  exert  your  endeavours 
to  suppress  all  abuses,  as  far  as  is  in  your  power. 

I  am,    &c. 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Lieut.  Gen.  BURGOYNE." 

Col.  Henley  was  ordered  under  arrest,  and  Col. 
Lee  to  take  the  command  at  Cambridge;  and  the 
general  order  of  the  roth  of  January  announced — 

"Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne  having  entered  a  com 
plaint  against  Col.  Henley,  charging  him  with  gross 
misconduct  while  in  command  at  Cambridge;  the 
honour  of  the  United  States,  and  the  justice  due  to 
an  officer  of  Col.  Henley's  character,  demand  a  pub 
lic  inquiry:  for  which  purpose  a  Court  of  Inquiry 
is  to  sit  at  Cambridge  on  Wednesday  next,  at  10 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  such  place  as  the  Presi 
dent  shall  appoint." 

Brigadier-General  GLOVER,  President. 
Col.  M.  Jackson, 
Col.  Nixon, 
Col.  Lee, 
Col.  H.  Jackson, 

All  persons  concerned,  to  attend  the  Court." 

Gen.  Burgoyne  found  fault  that  a  Court  of  Inquiry 
only  was  appointed,  and  not  a  Court  Martial.  He 
was  answered  that  this  was  frequently  the  case; 
that  it  did  not  preclude  the  latter;  and  where  an 
officer  of  rank,  and  in  particular  one  who  had  the 
immediate  command  was  the  object,  this  previous 
step  was  both  justifiable  and  proper.  The  Court  of 


Members. 


166  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS 

Inquiry  met,  and  gave  in  their  opinion;  and  in  the 
general  orders  of  January  i8th,  the  following  was 
announced: 

"The  Court,  whereof  Brig.  Gen.  Glover  was  Pres 
ident,  appointed  by  the  orders  of  the  loth  inst.  to 
inquire  into  the  grounds  of  a  complaint  exhibited  by 
Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne  against  Col.  Henley,  late  com 
manding  officer  of  the  American  troops  at  Cambridge 
— after  mature  consideration,  are  of  opinion  that 
from  the  evidence  offered  on  the  side  of  Gen.  Bur 
goyne  against  Col.  Henley,  it  will  be  most  for  the 
honour  of  Col.  Henley,  as  well  as  for  the  satisfaction 
of  all  concerned,  that  the  judgment  of  a  Court  Mar 
tial  should  be  taken  on  his  conduct,  during  his  com 
mand  at  Cambridge. 

"The  General,  approving  the  opinion  of  the  Court, 
orders  that  a  special  general  court  martial  sit  on 
Tuesday  next,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.  at  the  courthouse 
in  Cambridge,  for  the  trial  of  Col.  David  Henley, 
late  commanding  officer  at  that  post,  accused  by 
Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne,  of  a  general  tenor  of  language 
and  conduct  heinously  criminal  as  an  officer,  and 
unbecoming  a  man;  of  the  most  indecent,  violent, 
vindictive  severity  against  unarmed  men,  and  of  in 
tentional  murder. 

Brigadier-General  GLOVER,  President. 
Col.  Wesson,  Lieut.  Col.  Popkin, 

Col.  M.  Jackson,         Maj.  Curtis, 
Col.  Lee,  Capt.  Randall, 

Col.  H.  Jackson,          Capt.  Langdon, 
Lieut.  Col.  Colman,    Capt.  Sewall, 
Lieut.  Col.  Badlam,    Capt.  Hastings, 
Lieut.  Col.  Tudor  is  desired  to  act  as  Judge-Ad 
vocate.     All    evidences    and    persons    concerned   to 
attend  the  Court." 

The    Court    met,    and    adjourned    several   times, 


FEB.i778]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  167 

through  a  long,  particular,  and  tedious  trial.  Gen. 
Burgoyne  attended,  and  in  a  very  engaged  and  elo 
quent  manner  said  every  thing  which  he  judged 
proper;  which,  although  novel  in  courts  martial,  was 
yet  permitted. 

The  general  orders  of  the  27th  of  February  an 
nounced  as  follows: 

"  Col.  David  Henley,  late  commanding  officer  of  the 
post  at  Cambridge,  tried  at  the  special  general  court 
martial,  whereof  Brig.  Gen.  Glover  was  President, 
accused  by  Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne,  of  a  general  tenor 
of  language  and  conduct  heinously  criminal  as  an 
officer,  and  unbecoming  a  man;  of  the  most  inde 
cent,  violent,  vindictive  severity  against  unarmed 
men,  and  of  intentional  murder  — 

"The  Court,  after  mature  consideration,  are  of 
opinion,  that  the  charge  against  Col.  Henley  is  not 
supported,  and  that  he  be  discharged  from  his  arrest. 

"The  General  approves  the  opinion  of  the  Court; 
thanks  them  for  their  unwearied  endeavours  to  in 
vestigate  the  truth;  and  orders  Col.  Henley  to  re- 
assume  his  command  at  Cambridge  immediately. 

"The  General  thinks  it  to  be  his  duty  on  this  oc 
casion  to  observe,  that  although  the  conduct  of  Lieut. 
Gen.  Burgoyne,  (as  prosecutor  against  Col.  Henley) 
in  the  course  of  the  foregoing  trial,  in  his  several 
speeches  and  pleas,  may  be  warranted  by  some  like 
precedents  in  British  courts  martial,  yet  as  it  is 
altogether  novel  in  the  proceedings  of  any  general 
court  martial  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  whose  rules  and  articles  of  war  direct  that 
the  Judge-Advocate-General  shall  prosecute  in  the 
name  of  the  United  States;  and  as  a  different  prac 
tice  tends  to  render  courts  martial  both  tedious  and 
expensive — he  does  protest  against  this  instance ^e 
drawn  into  precedent  in  future." 


i68  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  I778 

yth. — A  British  soldier  at  Cambridge  stabbed  one 
of  the  American  guard. 

1 8th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Gov.  Cook 
that  three  frigates  and  twenty-three  sail  of  transports 
sailed  from  Newport,  on  Sunday  the  I5th  instant, 
standing  to  the  northeast.  Our  General  received  a 
letter  from  the  President  of  Congress,  in  which  he 
observed,  "I  had  the  honour  of  receiving,  by  Mr. 
Closki,  the  5th  instant,  your  favour  of  the  loth  ult. 
including  a  late  correspondence  with  Lieut.  Gen. 
Burgoyne;  these  were  immediately  reported  to  Con 
gress,  and  transmitted  to  the  Board  of  War,  from 
whence  a  report  has  not  yet  ascended;  therefore  I 
have  no  particular  commands  relative  to  your  said 
dispatch.  I  may,  however,  with  propriety  and  pleas 
ure  intimate,  that  your  conduct  towards  the  British 
General  and  his  dependents,  receives  the  continued 
approbation  of  Congress,  if  I  may  be  permitted  to 
make  this  conclusion  from  the  general  sentiments  of 
Members." 

23d. — Just  before  noon,  Gen.  Lincoln  arrived  in 
Boston  from  Albany;  his  leg  was  recovering  fast,  but 
he  was  still  very  lame,  and  was  conveyed  from  place 
to  place  on  a  moveable  bed,  with  handles,  which 
was  fixed  on  the  runners  of  his  sleigh,  with  a  canopy 
and  curtains,  and  was  convenient  also  to  remove  into 
the  house,  &c.  In  this  was  blended  ingenuity  and 
convenience. 

28th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
transports,  destined  to  take  away  the  troops  of  the 
Convention,  had  arrived  at  Holmes's  Hole;  and  the 
next  day,  March  ist,  that  they  had  arrived  at  Cape 
Harbour,  Provincetown,  Cape  Cod.  But  Gen. 
Buxgoyne  was  not  now  to  depart. 

l&arch  8th. — A  cartel  arrived  from  Cape  Cod, 
with  the  following  letter  to  Gen.  Burgoyne: 


MARCH,  i778]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  169 

JUNO,  CAPE  COD  HARBOUR,  4th  March,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"  I  TAKE  the  earliest  opportunity,  by  Lieut.  Car 
ter,  in  the  Haarlem  cartel,  to  inform  you  of  the  ar 
rival  of  the  transports  under  my  charge,  and  that  I 
am  appointed  by  the  Viscount  Howe  to  receive  you 
and  your  suit  on  board  the  Juno,  under  my  com 
mand,  for  your  conveyance  to  England,  when  you 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  embark  separately,  or  together 
with  the  troops,  as  you  will  let  me  know  in  return 
to  be  your  intention.  And  I  am  to  acquaint  you 
that  I  will  move  the  Juno  to  Nantasket  Road,  for 
facilitating  your  embarkation,  if  you  will  please  to 
inform  me  of  your  having  negotiated  an  agreement 
to  such  effect,  upon  faith  duly  pledged,  that  no  in 
sult  shall  be  offered  in  the  mean  time  to  any  of  the 
ships  of  war,  or  other  ships  and  vessels,  appointed  for 
fulfilling  the  purpose  of  the  Convention,  and  dis 
tinguished  by  flags  of  truce,  in  testimony  of  the  re 
striction  they  are  under  from  committing  any  acts  of 
hostility.  You  are  otherwise  to  take  your  passage  in 
the  Haarlem,  in  order  to  your  being  received  on 
board  the  Juno,  in  Cape  Cod  harbour. 

"Inclosed  is  a  list  of  the  transports,  with  their 
tonnage,  that  you  may  be  able  to  settle  the  proper 
arrangement  of  the  troops  destined  for  Europe;  for 
every  thing  else  I  refer  you  to  our  meeting  on  board 
the  Juno,  where  I  have  a  number  of  private  letters 
for  you,  Gen.  Phillips,  and  Col.  Kingston,  and  a 
large  box  of  letters  for  the  army. 

I  am,  &c. 
(Signed)        HUGH  DALYRMPLE. 

Lieut.  Gen.  BURGOYNE." 

Gen.  Burgoyne  having  written  an  answer  to  Capt. 
Dalrymple,  and  submitted  it  for  inspection,  requested 


1 70  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS      [MARCH,  i778 

our  General  to  send  it  down  by  the  cartel;  which  he 
did  under  the  following  cover: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  March  10,  1778. 
"Sm, 

"INCLOSED  are  sundry  letters  from  Lieut.  Gen. 
Burgoyne,  by  which  you  will  learn  his  present  sit 
uation. 

"Although  I  wish  on  every  occasion  to  extend  the 
utmost  generosity  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  army,  yet 
to  allow  letters  to  pass  unopened  would  be  betraying 
the  trust  reposed  in  me.  Therefore  any  idea  of 
granting  such  an  indulgence  cannot  be  admitted. 

"  If  any  advantage  in  the  economy  of  expense  to 
the  government  of  Great  Britain  may  be  derived 
from  landing  any  overplus  of  provisions  from  the 
fleet,  for  the  use  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention,  I 
have  not  the  least  objection  to  it;  but  wish  you  would 
ascertain  the  matter  as  soon  as  possible. 

"  I  rest  assured,  that  whilst  your  vessels  enjoy  per 
fect  security  under  the  sanction  of  their  flags,  not 
the  least  molestation  or  inconvenience  will  happen 
to  any  of  our  vessels  or  inhabitants. 

"  I  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  send  down  to  the  flag 
a  turkey,  sent  here  by  Gen.  Burgoyne. 

I  am,  &c. 
(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Capt.  DALRYMPLE." 

Many  people  having  grown  jealous  that  the  troops 
of  the  Convention  had  collected  and  secreted  arms 
in  the  barracks,  they  could  not  be  quieted  until  the 
matter  was  ascertained;  and  on  the  i8th,  our  Gen 
eral  ordered  a  strict  search  to  be  made,  when  nothing 
was  found  but  the  officer's  fuzees,  to  which  by  the 
Convention  they  had  a  right.  A  wag,  coming  from 


MARCH,  i778]      HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  171 

the  barracks,  was  asked  if  any  thing  was  found;  he 
answered,  "Yes — in  one  of  the  rooms  a  large  brass 
mortar."  This  spread,  and  was  alarming  to  be  sure. 
The  fact  was  that  in  one  of  the  rooms  there  was  a 
large  bell-metal  pestle  and  mortar,  for  family  use. 
Jealousy,  like  the  other  passions,  although  a  virtue 
in  itself,  may  exceed  its  bounds;  and  when  it  does, 
"trifles,  light  as  air,  to  jealous  minds  are  strong  as 
proofs  of  holy  writ." 

Capt.  Dalrymple  wrote  to  Gen.  Burgoyne  again, 
on  the  I5th,  and  proposed  to  put  the  spare  provi 
sions  on  board  one  of  the  flags,  and  send  them  up 
to  Boston  harbour. 

But  on  the  23d,  Capt.  Brathwait  of  the  Centurion 
wrote  the  General  that  he  had  arrived  at  Cape  Cod, 
with  orders  from  Viscount  Howe  for  the  men-of-war 
and  transports  with  the  provisions  on  board  them  to 
return  to  Rhode  Island,  which  they  did  accordingly. 

7th. — General  Lincoln  left  Boston  for  Hingham; 
our  General  accompanied  him  as  far  as  Milton. 

1 2th — Intelligence  was  received  that  a  40  gun  ship 
had  arrived  at  New  London,  laden  with  clothing 
for  the  United  States. 

1 8th. — A  detachment  of  Col.  Henley's  regiment 
marched  out  of  Boston  for  the  army. 

iQth. — General  Burgoyne  having  again  applied  to 
Congress  for  leave  to  go  to  England  himself,  they 
now  gave  him  liberty.  This  was  joyous  to  the  Gen 
eral,  and  he  wrote  our  General  that  he  had  assured 
himself  that  there  would  be  nothing  thrown  in  the 
way  on  his  part,  and  wished  for  his  passports.  The 
President  of  Congress,  in  his  letter  to  our  General, 
by  the  same  express,  informed  him  that  it  was  late 
in  the  evening  when  the  resolve,  granting  Gen.  Bur 
goyne  leave  to  depart,  passed,  and  nothing  was  said 
respecting  the  settlement  of  the  accounts  before  his 


i/2  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS      [MARCH, i778 

departure;  but  that  it  was  fully  his  opinion  that  the 
former  resolve  should  be  strictly  observed;  for  Con 
gress  had  before  resolved  that  neither  he  nor  the 
troops  of  the  Convention  should  depart  before  the 
accounts  were  settled  and  paid.  Our  General,  there 
fore,  told  General  Burgoyne,  that  this  must  first  be 
done  and  that  then  he  should  meet  with  no  delay: 
on  this  he  hesitated,  and  then  asked  how  the  ac 
counts  were  to  be  settled  ?  He  was  answered — 
Strictly  conformable  to  the  resolves  of  Congress. 
He  then  asked  if  Congress  could  be  serious  in  their 
resolution,  requiring  in  specie  the  same  sum  which 
they  had  expended  in  paper  money  ?  Our  General 
replied  that  he  supposed  that  honourable  body  were 
serious  in  all  their  resolutions.  He  then  replied  that 
this  was  unjust,  for  the  odds  was  double;  and  ap 
pealed  to  our  General  to  say  whether  he  thought  it 
just  himself?  Our  General  answered  that  as  an 
executive  officer,  it  was  not  for  him  to  judge  or  de 
termine  whether  the  orders  of  his  superiors  were  just 
or  not.  General  Burgoyne  replied,  that  was  true. 
He  was  then  told  that  if  he  did  not  choose  to  pay 
for  the  supplies,  the  act  allowed  him  to  replace  them, 
in  quality  and  quantity;  and  this  seemed  to  remove 
his  objections.  After  further  discussion  the  two 
Generals  pledged  their  faith  and  sacred  honour  to 
each  other,  in  which  they  both  had  the  fullest  con 
fidence,  that  General  Burgoyne  should  proceed  to 
Rhode  Island,  accompanied  by  such  officers  as  our 
General  might  think  proper  to  send,  to  whom  Gen 
eral  Burgoyne  should  pay  in  specie  the  amount  of 
the  supplies  furnished  in  the  quarter-master's  de 
partment;  and  that  he  should  forward  in  vessels 
bearing  flags  provisions  of  the  different  species  they 
had  received,  within  a  certain  number  of  days  stipu 
lated;  that  no  advantage  should  be  taken  by  delay 


APRIL,  i778]      HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  173 

occasioned  by  stress  of  weather;  that  a  box  of  gold, 
as  a  pledge  for  any  deficiencies  in  the  provisions, 
should  be  deposited  with  our  General,  the  balance 
of  which,  after  full  settlement  of  the  accounts,  to 
be  paid  to  the  senior  officer  of  the  troops  of  the 
Convention. 

April  2d. — General  Burgoyne  came  into  Boston, 
and  dined  at  head-quarters;  and  before  he  took  leave 
of  our  General,  observed,  "  I  know  your  situation, 
Sir,  and  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  many  foreign 
necessaries,  you  may  want  or  wish.  If  you  will  give 
me  a  memorandum,  on  my  arrival  in  England,  I 
will  with  great  pleasure  forward  them  to  you."  Our 
General  thanked  him  for  his  politeness,  but  was 
careful  not  to  mention  any,  choosing  rather  to  suffer 
with  his  fellow  countrymen  the  necessities  of  the 
times,  than  to  avail  himself  of  so  exclusive  a  favour. 

5th. — Between  n  and  12  o'clock  General  Bur 
goyne  left  Cambridge  for  Rhode  Island,  accompanied 
by  Colonel  Pollard  and  Samuel  Barrett,  Esq. 

8th. — The  Raleigh  frigate,  it  was  learnt,  had  ar 
rived  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

A  part  of  the  Convention  troops  were  ordered  to 
be  removed  to  Rutland,  in  the  county  of  Worcester, 
and  temporary  barracks  were  erected  for  the  purpose. 

1 5th. — A  division  of  the  Convention  troops 
marched  for  Rutland  under  escort  of  a  detachment 
of  militia,  commanded  by  Major  Read.  Our  Gen 
eral  received  a  letter  from  the  President  of  Congress, 
dated  the  4th  instant,  in  which  he  observed:  "Yes 
terday  I  had  the  honour  of  presenting  to  Congress 
your  favours  of  the  2ist  and  24th  of  March;  and, 
although  I  have  received  no  particular  commands 
relative  to  their  several  contents,  I  am  warranted  by 
the  general  voice  of  Members  to  intimate  that  you 
have  received  the  applause  of  the  House  for  your 


174  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  i778 

determination  respecting  the  adjustment  of  accounts 
with  General  Burgoyne." 

1 8th. — Mr.  Barrett  returned  from  Rhode  Island, 
accompanied  by  a  British  commissary,  Major  Mor 
rison,  who  was  sent  on  by  Gen.  Pigot,  to  negotiate 
a  plan  for  the  future  supply  of  the  troops  of  the 
Convention. 

iQth. — About  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  a  wagon  arrived 
from  Rhode  Island  with  a  large  sum  of  money,  re 
ceived  in  discharge  of  the  accounts,  and  for  the 
troops  of  the  Convention. 

The  same  day,  Mr.  Dean  arrived  from  France 
with  the  highly  important  intelligence  that  the  Court 
of  France  had  acknowledged  the  independency  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  and  a  treaty  of  alliance 
was  concluded. 

22d. — Five  sail  of  victuallers  arrived  in  the  lower 
harbour  from  Rhode  Island,  with  provisions  for  a 
replace  of  those  supplied  the  troops  of  the  Conven 
tion. 

28th. — The  British  hand-bill  for  quieting  America, 
as  it  was  called,  was  received  at  Boston.  It  was 
forwarded  from  Connecticut,  where  it  had  been  sent 
by  Governor  Tryon.  Governor  Trumbull  had  made 
a  most  magnanimous  reply. 

30th. — A  valuable  prize  was  sent  into  Boston, 
laden  with  dry  goods,  teas,  flour,  &c. 

May  4th. — Several  French  ships  had  arrived  with 
goods  and  stores  from  France  for  the  United  States. 

5th. — The  French  frigate  Nymphe,  Capt.  Senne- 
ville,  arrived  in  Boston  harbour,  and  sailed  out  again 
on  the  1 6th. 

23d. — Certain  intelligence  was  received  that  the 
French  Ambassador  left  England  about  the  2Oth  of 
the  preceding  March,  and  that  the  English  Ambas 
sador  had  returned  to  England. 


MAY,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  175 

3Oth. — The  British  made  an  excursion  to  Tiverton 
and  Little  Compton,  and  did  some  damage. 

Our  General  concluded  with  Gen.  Pigot  a  system 
for  the  future  supply  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention, 
by  sending  provisions  from  Rhode  Island.  This 
mode  tended  to  the  increase  of  provisions  in  the 
States,  and  to  the  easier  supply  of  our  own  troops. 
The  plan  was  submitted  to  Congress,  who  were 
pleased  to  honour  it  with  their  approbation,  which 
they  expressed  in  the  following  resolution: 

In  CONGRESS,  May  22 </,  1778. 

"Resolved,  That  Congress  approve  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Heath's  conduct  relative  to  the  proposals  made  by 
Maj.  Gen.  Pigot,  for  supplying  with  provisions  the 
troops  who  surrendered  prisoners  under  the  Conven 
tion  of  Saratoga. 

"That  the  President  be  directed  to  inform  Maj. 
Gen.  Heath,  that  Congress  expects  that  all  assistance 
afforded  to  the  enemy,  in  unloading,  storing,  or 
transporting  provisions  for  the  support  of  the  Con 
vention  prisoners,  be  paid  for  in  solid  coin,  agreeably 
to  the  spirit  of  their  resolution  of  the  iQth  of  Decem 
ber  last." 

The  Convention  troops  complained  exceedingly 
of  this  discrimination  in  payment,  because  it  was 
notorious  that  there  was  a  considerable  difference 
between  paper  money  and  specie;  indeed,  at  first 
view,  it  seems  scarcely  reconcilable  on  the  princi 
ples  of  justice  and  equity;  but  when  the  grounds  on 
which  the  resolve  of  the  iQth  of  Dec.  1777,  is  pred 
icated,  are  considered,  it  seems  to  place  the  matter 
in  a  different  light.  It  is  expressed  as  follows: 

In  CONGRESS,  Dec.  gtb,  1777. 
"Whereas    Sir    William    Howe,    Commander    in 


176  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         [MAv,I778 

Chief  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  forces,  has  required 
that  provisions  should  be  sent  in  for  the  subsist 
ence  of  the  American  prisoners  in  his  possession,  and 
for  the  purchase  of  such  necessaries  as  they  may 
stand  in  need  of,  and  has  prohibited  the  circulation 
of  the  money  struck  by  the  authority  of  these  States, 
within  such  parts  of  the  country  as  are  at  present 
subjected  to  his  power,  whereby  great  difficulties 
have  occurred  in  relieving  the  distresses  of  the  Amer 
ican  prisoners;  and  whereas  large  sums  of  Continental 
bills  of  credit  have  been  counterfeited  and  issued  by 
the  agents,  emissaries  and  abettors  of  Sir  W.  Howe,— 
"Resolved,  That  the  accounts  of  all  provisions  and 
other  necessaries,  which  already  have  been,  or  which 
hereafter  may  be  supplied  by  the  public  to  prisoners 
in  the  power  of  these  States,  shall  be  discharged  by 
either  receiving  from  the  British  Commissary  of 
Prisoners,  or  any  of  his  agents,  provisions  or  other 
necessaries  equal  in  quantity  and  kind  to  what  have 
been  supplied,  or  the  amount  thereof  in  gold  or 
silver,  at  the  rate  of  four  shillings  and  sixpence  ster 
ling  for  every  dollar  of  the  currency  of  these  States; 
and  that  all  these  accounts  be  liquidated  and  dis 
charged,  previous  to  the  release  of  any  prisoners  to 
whom  provisions  or  other  necessaries  shall  have  been 
so  supplied. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

(Signed)        C.  THOMSON." 

By  the  foregoing  it  appears,  that  the  British  were 
allowed  to  replace  any  and  all  the  supplies  which 
were  furnished  to  them,  and  in  that  way  might  make 
all  the  savings  in  their  power;  and  certainly  they 
ought  to  be  checked,  if  they  attempted  to  destroy  that 
currency  on  which  the  States  had  solely  to  rely  for 


juNE,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  177 

the  prosecution  of  the  war,  which  had  been  forced 
upon  them  by  this  same  power. 

June  1 7th. — A  British  officer  was  shot  by  an  Amer 
ican  sentinel  on  Prospect  Hill,  the  officer  attempting 
to  pass,  contrary  to  the  standing  orders.  The  sen 
tinel  was  immediately  relieved  and  put  under  guard, 
and  as  soon  as  the  official  account  of  the  event  was 
received  by  our  General,  he  wrote  the  following  letter 
to  Gen.  Phillips: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON, 
June  17,  1778,  8  o'clock,  P.M. 
"SiR, 

"I  AM  this  moment  informed  that  an  officer  of 
the  Convention  has  been  shot  by  one  of  our  sentries. 
I  have  ordered  the  man  into  close  confinement,  and 
have  directed  the  Town-Major  to  desire  the  Coroner 
of  the  county  of  Middlesex  to  summon  a  jury  of  in 
quest  to  sit  on  the  body;  and  I  desire  that  it  may  not 
be  removed  until  that  step  be  taken.  I  can  only  say, 
Sir,  that  you  may  be  assured  that  I  will  take  every 
step  in  my  power,  which  honour  and  justice  require. 
"Your  letters  of  this  date  were  handed  to  me  by 
the  person  who  brought  the  disagreeable  news  of  the 
officer's  being  shot.  I  will  answer  them  to-morrow. 
I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Maj.  Gen.  PHILLIPS." 

A  few  minutes  after  our  General  had  sent  his  letter, 
he  received  the  following  from  Gen.  Phillips: 

CAMBRIDGE,  June  17,  1778. 

"MURDER  and  death  has  at  length  taken  place. 
An  officer,  riding  out  from  the  barracks  on  Prospect 
Hill,  has  been  shot  by  an  American  sentinel.  I  leave 
the  horrors  incident  to  that  bloody  disposition,  which 


178  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         Q™E,  i778 

has  joined  itself  to  rebellion  in  these  Colonies,  to  the 
feelings  of  all  Europe.  I  do  not  ask  for  justice,  for 
I  believe  every  principle  of  it  is  fled  from  this 
Province. 

"I  demand  liberty  to  send  an  officer  to  Gen.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  by  way  of  the  head-quarters  of  Gen. 
Washington,  with  my  report  of  this  murder. 

(Signed)  W.  PHILLIPS,  Maj.  Gen. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

The  next  morning  our  General  wrote  the  following 
to  Gen.  Phillips: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  June  18,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"IMMEDIATELY  upon  my  receiving  the  dis 
agreeable  report,  the  last  evening,  that  an  officer  of 
the  Convention  had  been  shot  by  an  American  sen 
tinel,  and  that  the  sentinel  was  confined,  I  ordered 
him  to  be  closely  kept  so,  and  the  Coroner  of  the 
county  of  Middlesex  to  be  certified  that  a  jury  of 
inquest  might  be  summoned  to  sit  on  the  body  of  the 
officer.  Decency  and  the  utmost  attention,  in  any 
country,  could  not  have  done  more.  A  few  minutes 
after  I  had  dispatched  the  officer  with  the  foregoing 
orders,  I  received  your  letter,  couched  in  such  terms 
that  I  am  at  a  loss  what  epithets  to  give  it.  Were  it 
even  certain  that  the  shooting  of  the  officer  was  an  act 
of  the  most  deliberate  wilful  murder,  why  should  you 
charge  these  free  independent  States  with  a  bloody 
disposition  and  with  rebellion,  and  this  State  in  par 
ticular  as  void  of  every  principle  of  justice  ?  Al 
though  I  ever  had  and  still  have  a  personal  regard 
for  you,  and  wish  in  every  respect  to  treat  you  with 
the  utmost  generosity;  yet  that  duty  which  I  owe  to 
the  honour  and  dignity  of  the  United  States  will 


juNE,i778]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  179 

not  allow  me  to  pass  unnoticed  such  expressions  as 
are  contained  in  your  letter;  and  I  cannot  put  any 
other  interpretation  upon  them,  than  that  they  are 
a  violent  infraction  of  your  parole,  most  sacredly 
given.  I  do  conceive  it  to  be  my  duty,  and  I  do 
hereby  restrict  you  to  the  limits  of  your  house,  gar 
dens  and  yard,  and  to  the  direct  road  from  your 
quarters  to  the  quarters  of  the  troops  of  the  Conven 
tion,  on  Prospect  and  Winter  Hills;  expecting  from 
you  a  parole  for  propriety  of  conduct  within  those 
limits;  which  if  you  refuse,  I  shall  be  under  the  ne 
cessity  of  ordering  you  to  narrower  limits,  until  I  can 
obtain  the  pleasure  of  the  Honourable  the  Congress, 
touching  this  matter,  to  whom  I  shall  transmit  your 
letter,  and  crave  their  directions. 

"As  to  your  demand  of  liberty  for  an  officer  to 
proceed  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  with  a  'report  of  this 
murder,'  as  you  are  pleased  to  express  yourself,  I 
have  only  to  reply,  that  as  soon  as  the  Coroner  has 
taken  an  inquisition,  in  which  all  the  evidence  re 
specting  this  unhappy  affair  will  be  contained,  I  shall 
transmit  a  copy  thereof  to  Congress;  and  I  shall  have 
no  objection  to  your  sending  a  copy  also  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  by  way  of  the  head-quarters  of  his  Excel 
lency  General  Washington,  (if  his  Excellency  should 
approve  of  it)  together  with  any  just  and  decent  rep 
resentations  which  you  may  think  necessary  to  make 
on  this  occasion  or  any  other,  after  I  have  examined 
such  letters;  but  as  to  an  officer's  going  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  it  is  altogether  unnecessary — so  you  will 
please  to  excuse  my  refusal  of  it. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)         W.  HEATH,  Major-General. 

"P.  S.  I  shall  not  at  this  time  comment  on  the 
indelicate  manner  in  which  your  letter  is  addressed. 

Maj.  Gen.  PHILLIPS." 


180  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  i77s 

"I,  WILLIAM  PHILLIPS,  Major-General  and 
senior  officer  of  the  troops  under  the  restrictions  of 
the  Convention  of  Saratoga,  do  promise  and  engage, 
on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the  faith  of  a  gen 
tleman,  to  remain  in  the  quarters  now  assigned  to 
me  in  Cambridge,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
and  at  no  time  to  exceed  or  pass  the  limits  of  the 
gardens  and  yards  adjoining  and  belonging  to  said 
quarters,  except  in  the  road  by  the  nearest  and  most 
direct  route  from  said  quarters  to  Prospect  and 
Winter  Hills,  and  the  limits  of  said  hills  within  the 
chain  of  sentries — until  it  shall  be  permitted  or  or 
dered  otherwise  by  the  Continental  General  com 
manding  in  this  State,  his  Excellency  General  Wash 
ington,  or  the  Honourable  Congress  of  the  United 
States  of  America;  and  that  I  will  not,  directly  or 
indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  to  the  enemies  of  the 
said  United  States,  or  either  of  them,  or  do  or  say  any 
thing  in  opposition  to  or  in  prejudice  of  the  measures 
and  proceedings  of  any  Congress  for  the  said  States, 
during  my  continuance  here  as  aforesaid,  or  until  I 
am  duly  exchanged  or  discharged. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Cambridge,  this  eighteenth 
day  of  June,  1778." 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON, 

June  18,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"YOU  will  immediately  repair  to  Cambridge,  and 
wait  upon  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips:  present  him  the  letter 
addressed  to  him.  After  he  has  read  the  letter,  pre 
sent  the  parole;  if  he  signs  it,  well;  if  he  refuses,  you 
will  please  to  inform  him,  that  in  consequence  of  the 
indecent,  dishonourable,  and  highly  insulting  ex 
pressions  in  his  letter  of  yesterday  against  the  honour 
and  dignity  of  the  Free,  Sovereign,  and  Independent 


juNE,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  181 

States  of  America,  and  in  prejudice  of  the  measures 
and  proceedings  of  the  Honorable  the  Congress— 
as  it  is  my  duty,  so  it  is  my  express  orders,  that  he, 
the  said  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  be  restricted  to  the 
limits  of  his  house,  yards  and  gardens,  beyond  which 
he  is  not  to  pass,  until  it  be  otherwise  ordered;  and 
that  you  immediately  plant  and  continue  by  relief 
so  many  sentries  as  may  be  necessary  to  prevent  his 
exceeding  those  limits.  You  will  give  orders  that 
the  sentries,  so  planted,  observe  a  strict  decorum  and 
soldier-like  behaviour,  avoiding  insult,  and  behaving 
with  becoming  dignity.  After  which,  you  will  wait 
on  the  next  senior  officer,  and  acquaint  him  of  Gen. 
Phillips  being  confined. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)        W.  HEATH,  Maj.  Gen. 
Lieut.  Col.  POLLARD,  Dep.  Adj.  General." 

The  same  day  Gen.  Phillips  wrote  our  General  as 
follows : 

CAMBRIDGE,  June  18,  1778,  3  o'clock,  P.M. 
"SiR, 

"LIEUTENANT  Brown,  of  the  zist  regiment, 
who  was  shot  yesterday  by  an  American  sentinel, 
died  about  midnight  in  the  last  night. 

"  I  am  informed  some  person,  whom  you  have  sent 
to  examine  the  body,  is  now  doing  it;  and,  as  I  sup 
pose  every  inspection  of  that  sort  will  be  over  by 
to-morrow,  I  would  propose  to  bury  the  corpse  to 
morrow  evening.  I  am  to  desire  to  know  if  you  have 
any  objection,  and  whether  you  have  any  particular 
intentions  relating  to  the  body  of  the  murdered  officer. 
If  it  is  to  be  allowed  Christian  burial,  I  would  wish 
to  deposit  it  in  the  vault  appropriated  for  strangers, 
in  the  Protestant  church  at  Cambridge.  In  this  case, 


182  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         QUNE,  i778 

I  am  to  desire  you  will  give  the  necessary  permission 
for  this  purpose,  and  allow  a  sufficient  number  of 
men  from  the  barracks  to  assist  in  carrying  down  the 
corpse  from  the  barracks  to  the  church. 

"As  I  am  totally  ignorant  to  whom  it  may  be  nec 
essary  to  apply  for  leave  to  open  the  church,  it 
obliges  me  to  give  you  this  trouble;  and  I  hope,  if 
permission  is  granted,  that  it  may  be  done  so  fully, 
as  will  prevent  the  sanguinary  people  of  this  country 
from  insulting  and  treating  with  indignity  the  dead 
body  of  the  unfortunate  officer,  who,  in  their  rage, 
revengeful  tempers,  and  barbarity,  they  have  put  to 
death.  I  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

(Signed)  W.  PHILLIPS. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

To  this  letter  the  following  was  returned: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  June  19,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"YOURS  of  yesterday  afternoon  was  handed  to 
me  the  last  evening;  I  most  sincerely  regret  the  un 
fortunate  death  of  Lieut.  Brown. 

"As  I  apprehend  the  Coroner  has  taken  his  in 
quisition,  or  will  do  it  this  morning,  which  is  in  con 
formity  to  the  laws  of  the  land  in  that  case  made  and 
provided,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  investigating  the 
truth  of  facts — you  not  only  have  my  permission,  but 
request,  that  every  mark  of  respect  may  be  paid  to 
the  corpse  of  the  deceased;  and  you  have  my  per 
mission  also  for  such  a  number  of  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates  to  attend  as  may  be  necessary 
to  bear  the  corpse  from  the  funeral  house  to  the 
place  of  interment. 

"  I  do  not  know  under  whose  direction  the  church 


JUNE,  i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  183 

at  Cambridge  now  is;  but  I  have  given  orders  to  Maj. 
Hopkins  and  the  Town-Major  to  afford  every  kind 
of  assistance  in  their  power,  and  to  inquire  who  has 
the  direction,  and  to  obtain  permission.  I  have  also 
given  orders  that  decency  be  exhibited  by  our  troops 
during  the  time  of  procession  of  interment,  which 
the  solemnity  of  so  mournful  an  occasion  points  out 
as  the  duty  of  rational  beings;  and  from  the  universal 
respectful  behaviour  of  the  people  of  this  country  on 
such  occasions,  you  may  be  sure  that  not  the  least 
insult  will  be  offered. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Maj.  Gen.  PHILLIPS." 

1 9th. — Gen.  Phillips  wrote  another  letter,  as  fol 
lows: 

CAMBRIDGE,  June  igth,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"I  SHALL  not  animadvert  upon,  or  answer  any 
part  of  your  letter  of  yesterday,  except  what  relates 
to  your  meaning  to  restrict  me  to  my  house,  garden 
and  yards,  and  to  the  direct  road  from  my  quarters 
to  the  quarters  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention  on 
Prospect  and  Winter  Hills,  and  requiring  my  signing 
a  new  parole  for  my  propriety  of  conduct  within 
those  limits. 

"When  by  the  treaty  of  Convention  of  Saratoga 
the  officers  were  to  be  admitted  on  parole,  it  was 
clearly  intended  that  a  liberal  interpretation  was  to 
be  given  of  that  agreement;  and,  to  use  your  own 
words,  generous  limits  were  to  be  granted.  I  will 
not  deny  that  the  limits  have  been  sufficient. 

"  I  apprehend,  Sir,  that  under  no  sense  or  expla 
nation  of  the  treaty,  the  officers  were  to  be  denied 
intercourse  with  the  soldiers — indeed,  there  is  an 


1 84  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         UUN 

article  particularly  on  that  point;  and  by  restricting 
me  to  my  quarters,  allowing  me  only  the  passage  to 
the  barracks  by  the  direct  road,  you  would  certainly 
have  restricted  me  as  you  have  done  several  other 
officers,  from  whom  you  have  taken  the  benefit  of 
their  parole,  allowing  for  the  distinction  of  my  rank, 
having  obtained  a  quarter  instead  of  a  barrack:  it 
seemed  therefore  a  very  extraordinary  proposal  made 
to  me  that  I  should  sign  a  parole  under  a  restriction 
which  deprived  me  of  any  advantage  arising  from 
my  giving  one,  according  to  the  article  on  that  sub 
ject  in  the  treaty  of  Convention  of  Saratoga;  and  on 
this  consideration  I  refused  it. 

"You  have,  Sir,  made  me  a  prisoner  in  my  quar 
ters,  under  a  guard,  and  I  am  perfectly  at  ease  about 
it — shall  bear  it,  Sir,  and  any  other  violence  of  power 
which  may  happen  to  me,  with  more  patience  than 
you  may  suppose.  I  am  very  regardless  about  in 
sults  or  injuries  done  me  personally — I  feel  only,  and 
then  severely,  when  any  are  offered  to  the  troops  I 
command. 

"  But,  Sir,  you  attempt  at  much  more  than  re 
stricting  my  person;  for  in  a  paper  sent  me  this  day, 
being  your  instructions  to  Lieut.  Col.  Pollard,  dated 
June  1 8,  1778,  you  direct  him,  after  he  has  planted 
sentinels  around  my  quarters,  that  he  is  to  'wait  on 
the  next  senior  officer,  and  acquaint  him  of  General 
Phillips  being  confined/  I  am  to  inform  you,  Sir, 
that,  bearing  the  King's  commission,  I  shall  consider 
myself  senior  officer  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention; 
and  every  officer  of  them  will  obey  my  orders  as  far 
as  their  present  situation  will  allow.  You  may  con 
fine  my  person,  but  cannot  have  power  to  take  from 
me  my  military  place,  nor  my  connection  with  the 
Convention  troops — it  is  too  extravagant  an  idea  to 
suppose  you  capable  of:  so  little  can  it  be  in  the 


juNE,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  185 

power  of  an  individual  to  deprive  me  of  the  com 
mission  I  hold,  that  were  these  Colonies  really  ac 
knowledged  Independent  and  Sovereign  States,  it 
would  not  be  in  the  power  of  their  government  to 
deprive  an  officer  of  another  nation  of  his  military 
commission,  how  far  soever  they  might  stretch  and 
extend  their  power  over  his  person.  But,  Sir,  I  must 
be  allowed  to  declare,  that  until  the  Colonies  are 
acknowledged  by  Great  Britain  to  be  Independent 
Sovereign  States,  I  cannot  view  them  in  any  other 
light  than  that  in  which  they  are  considered  by 
Great  Britain. 

"As  you  will  not  allow  me  to  send  an  officer  to 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  I  must  request  to  take  advantage 
of  your  express  for  sending  my  report  and  represen 
tations  to  him;  and  I  will  beg  to  know  when  I  must 
send  you  my  letters. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 
(Signed)  W.  PHILLIPS. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

To  which  the  following  answer  was  returned  the 
next  day: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  June  20,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"ANOTHER  of  your  favours  of  yesterday  was 
handed  to  me  this  morning.  You  may  be  assured 
that  the  reason  of  my  restricting  you  to  your  quar 
ters  the  day  before  yesterday  was  personally  no 
agreeable  service.  Duty  to  the  honour  and  dignity 
of  my  country,  made  it  indispensably  necessary. 
Apprehending  that  so  great  a  restriction  from  your 
former  limits  as  I  pointed  out,  might  be  construed 
by  you  a  dissolution  of  your  parole,  I  thought  it 


1 86  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  i778 

necessary  and  also  reasonable  that  you  should  give  a 
new  one.  I  wished  that  you  might  retain  your  quar 
ters,  and  at  the  same  time  have  a  free  intercourse 
with  the  troops  who  are  quartered  at  a  distance  from 
you;  this  distance  is  so  considerable  that  a  parole  is 
necessary.  I  acknowledge  that  by  the  Convention 
you  are  to  be  admitted  on  parole,  and  this  parole  is 
for  propriety  of  conduct  under  such  admittance;  but 
that  parole  being  forfeited  by  misconduct  ceases  to 
be,  and  confinement  in  proportion  to  the  offence 
no  breach  of  the  Convention,  but  fully  justifiable 
upon  every  principle  of  reason  and  justice. 

"  It  was  never  in  my  idea  to  take  away  your  com 
mission,  or  dissolve  your  connection  with  the  troops 
of  the  Convention;  but,  while  under  confinement, 
your  power  of  acting  might  with  propriety  be  sus 
pended,  so  far  as  respected  the  transaction  of  public 
business  between  myself  and  you;  but  personal  re 
gard  has  prevented  my  going  that  length,  any  further 
than  to  notify  the  next  officer  of  your  confinement. 

"  I  do  not  insist  that  you,  as  an  officer  in  the  British 
army,  are  obliged  to  view  the  Free,  Independent  and 
Sovereign  States  of  America  in  any  other  light  than 
they  are  acknowledged  by  the  government  whose  ser 
vice  you  are  in.  But,  under  your  present  situation 
and  circumstances,  I  do  insist  that  you  shall  not 
openly  insult  the  honour  and  dignity  of  these  Sov 
ereign  States  with  impunity. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  obedient  servart, 
(Signed)         W.  HEATH,  Major-General. 

Maj.  Gen.  PHILLIPS." 

"Middlesex,  ss. 

"AN  inquest  taken  at  Cambridge,  within  the  said 
county  of  Middlesex,  on  the  i8th  of  June,  A.D.  1778, 


juNE,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  187 

before  Joel  Smith,  one  of  the  Coroners  for  the  county 
aforesaid,  upon  view  of  the  body  of  Lieut.  Richard 
Brown,  one  of  the  British  officers  (Charlestown,  in 
the  county  aforesaid)  then  and  there  being  dead,  by 
oaths  of  William  Howe,  Benjamin  Lock,  John  Brown, 
Ebenezer  Steadman,  Samuel  Manning,  Nathaniel 
Austin,  Joseph  Read,  jun.,  James  Hill,  Thomas  Bar 
ret,  Benjamin  Barker,  Aaron  Hill,  Isaac  Bradish, 
James  Munro,  Joseph  Johnson,  good  and  lawful  men 
of  Cambridge  aforesaid,  who  being  charged  and 
sworn  to  inquire  for  the  sake  of  the  government  and 
people  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  when,  and  by  what 
means,  and  how  the  said  Richard  Brown  came  to  his 
death — upon  their  oath  do  say,  that  the  said  Richard 
Brown  was  shot  with  a  fire-arm  by  the  sentinel  in 
Charlestown,  near  Prospect  Hill,  between  the  hours 
of  five  and  six,  P.  M.  on  the  iyth  day  of  June,  A.D. 
1778,  in  attempting  to  pass  the  sentinel  with  two 
women,  after  being  properly  challenged  by  said  sen 
tinel — and  so  came  to  death. 

JOEL  SMITH,  Coroner. 
Nathaniel  Austin,  James  Munro, 

Joseph  Read,  jun.  Joseph  Johnson, 

James  Hill,  William  Howe, 

Thomas  Barret,  Benjamin  Lock, 

Benjamin  Barker,  J°hn  Brown, 

Aaron  Hill,  Ebenezer  Steadman, 

Isaac  Bradish,  Samuel  Manning. 

CAMBRIDGE,  June  18,  1778." 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Major-General  HEATH  to 
the  President  of  Congress,  dated  Head-Quarters, 
Boston,  June  19,  1778. 

"SINCE  my  last,  of  the  gth  instant,  I  have  re 
ceived  the  honour  of  yours  of  the  23d,  by  Capt. 
Nevers. 


1 88  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  i778 

"The  day  before  yesterday,  one  of  our  sentinels, 
posted  at  the  foot  of  Prospect  Hill,  shot  a  Lieut. 
Richard  Brown,  of  the  troops  of  the  Convention, 
for  not  stopping  when  repeatedly  challenged,  as  he 
was  riding  out  of  the  lines  with  two  women.  The 
orders  given  to  the  sentinels  being  not  to  allow  any 
officer  without  side-arms,  or  non-commissioned  offi 
cer,  private  soldier,  woman  or  child,  without  a  written 
passport,  to  pass  the  chain  of  sentries.  Immediately 
upon  my  receiving  the  report  of  the  officer's  being 
shot,  and  that  the  sentinel  was  confined,  I  gave  orders 
for  his  being  kept  so,  and  notice  to  be  given  to  the 
Coroner  of  the  county  of  Middlesex,  that  a  Jury  of 
Inquest  might  sit  on  the  body  for  the  investigation 
of  the  truth  of  facts;  at  the  same  time  I  wrote  to  Maj. 
Gen.  Phillips — I  do  myself  the  honour  to  inclose 
copy  thereof,  No.  i;  a  few  minutes  after,  I  received 
a  paper  from  him,  No.  2;  the  next  morning  I  again 
wrote  him,  No.  3;  and  a  parole,  No.  4;  and  gave 
Col.  Pollard  written  orders  for  the  delivery  thereof, 
No.  5.  Gen.  Phillips  refusing  to  sign  the  parole, 
Col.  Pollard,  in  obedience  to  my  orders,  restricted 
him  to  the  limits  therein  mentioned,  and  planted 
three  sentinels  around  the  house  and  gardens;  in 
which  state  matters  now  remain." 

In  CONGRESS,  July  7,  1778. 

"Resolved,  That  Congress  approve  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Heath's  conduct  respecting  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips,  con 
sequent  upon  the  death  of  Lieut.  Richard  Brown,  of 
the  troops  of  the  Convention. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

CHARLES  THOMSON,  Secretary." 

The  whole  of  the  foregoing  correspondence  was 
published  by  order  of  Congress;  and  our  General 
was  informed  that  it  was  left  for  him  to  conduct 


juNE,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  189 

towards  the  British  General,  as  to  the  continuance  of 
his  arrest,  as  he  might  judge  the  honour  of  the 
United  States  required.  Gen.  Phillips  continuing 
to  exhibit  the  same  temper,  or  it  rather  growing 
upon  him,  he  was  continued  in  his  arrest,  until  the 
troops  of  the  Convention  were  ordered  to  be  removed 
to  Charlottesville  in  Virginia.  It  has  before  been 
observed  that  the  officers  had  certain  articles  pre 
scribed  to  them,  for  their  government  in  quarters, 
and  that  these  were  drawn  into  the  parole,  and  sub 
scribed  by  them.  If  any  abuses  took  place,  a  Court 
of  Inquiry  was  directed  to  investigate  the  complaints, 
and  report  to  our  General,  thus  giving  the  accused 
officers  an  opportunity  to  exculpate  their  conduct,  if 
it  was  in  their  power;  and  no  officer  could  wish  more 
than  our  General  to  treat  them  with  generosity  and 
indulgence,  as  far  as  was  compatible  with  good  order 
and  discipline.  But  notwithstanding  the  fairness  of 
this  mode  of  procedure,  Gen.  Phillips  forbid  the 
officers  appearing  before  any  court  so  appointed; 
and  on  the  i8th  ult.  Mr.  Bibby,  the  Deputy-Adju 
tant-General  to  the  troops  of  the  Convention,  came 
into  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  and  declared  the  following, 
which,  in  order  to  have  the  whole  together,  we  now 
retrospect: 

"Maj.  Gen.  Phillips  will  not  permit  any  officer 
under  his  command  to  be  brought  before  a  Court  of 
Inquiry  of  the  American  troops,  for  the  purpose  of 
scrutinizing  their  conduct;  but  if  any  complaints 
are  lodged  against  any  British  officers,  and  Maj.  Gen. 
Heath  shall  desire  their  conduct  to  be  inquired  into, 
Maj.  Gen.  Phillips  will  give  such  orders  as  are  cus 
tomary  in  such  cases  among  the  British  troops. 
By  order  of  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips: 

(Signed)     THOS.  BIBBY,  Dep.  Adj.  Gen. 

MONDAY,  May  18,  1778." 


i go  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         UUNE,  i77s 

The  same  day,  Gen.  Phillips  sent  a  letter  to  our 
General,  expressive  of  the  same  sentiments,  to  which 
the  following  answer  was  sent  to  him: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  May  19,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"YOUR  favour  of  yesterday,  came  to  hand  the 
last  evening;  and,  I  must  confess,  contained  matter 
novel  and  surprising  to  me.  What  ideas  of  a  co 
partnership  in  command  you  have  entertained,  I 
cannot  tell.  From  the  beginning,  I  have  found  a 
disposition  in  the  senior  officer  of  the  Convention,  to 
assume  the  right  and  authority  of  trying  and  pun 
ishing  offenders  for  breaches  of  my  orders.  This  I 
ever  have  and  ever  shall  view  in  no  other  light  than 
that  of  insult.  As  such,  I  represented  it  to  his  Ex 
cellency  Lieut.  Gen.  Burgoyne,  whose  good  sense 
and  thorough  knowledge  of  discipline,  led  him,  in  a 
letter  to  me  of  the  I3th  Jan.  to  yield  the  matter  in  the 
following  words:  'I  do  not  mean  to  deny  that  you 
have  a  right  to  take  justice  into  your  own  hands/ 
Indeed  it  is  a  subject,  concerning  which,  having 
heretofore  said  and  wrote  very  fully,  I  shall  not  at 
this  time  dwell  long  upon.  As  to  agreement  or  co 
partnership  in  command,  it  is  absurd.  In  military 
command  there  must  be  one  supreme  head;  at  pres 
ent,  the  Honorable  Congress  have  honoured  me  with 
the  command  of  this  department,  and  I  imagined 
that  no  officer  within  its  limits  would  dare  dispute  it. 

"My  orders,  as  I  have  repeatedly  heretofore  de 
clared,  shall  ever  be  founded  on  the  principles  of 
honour,  reason  and  justice,  and  not  to  infringe  those 
delicate  principles  in  others;  so  I  again  declare  that 
such  my  orders  shall  not  be  broken  or  disputed  by 
any  officer  or  soldier  placed  under  my  direction 
with  impunity.  The  matter  of  command  is  no  hid- 


juNE,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  191 

den  mystery;  the  usage  and  customs  of  nations  are 
known.  The  celebrated  Vattel,  Puffendorff  and 
Grotius,  with  whose  writings  I  dare  say  you  are 
acquainted,  elegantly  explain  how  an  army  that  sub 
mits  to  another,  whether  the  conditions  are  more  or 
less  honorary  to  themselves,  are  to  conduct  whilst 
they  remain  within  the  limits  of  the  victors'  camp,  or 
jurisdiction  of  their  country.  But  I  shall  not  spend 
time  to  reason  on  a  subject  which  would  reflect  dis 
honour  on  myself  to  allow  even  to  be  disputed. 
Therefore,  to  sum  up  all  in  few  words — that,  as  I 
am  determined  to  treat  the  troops  of  the  Convention 
with  strict  justice  and  generosity,  so  I  am  determined 
that  all  offenders  against  my  standing  orders  of  the 
garrison  shall  be  brought  to  proper  punishment; 
that  I  will  not  allow  the  senior  officer  of  those  troops 
to  try  or  punish  for  any  offence  against  my  orders; 
and,  that  the  truth  may  at  all  times  be  properly  in 
vestigated,  I  shall,  from  time  to  time,  when  occasion 
requires,  appoint  Courts  of  Inquiry  for  that  purpose, 
and  such  as  presume  to  dispute  or  counteract  them 
I  shall  duly  notice. 

I  am,  &c. 

(Signed)         W.  HEATH,  Major-General. 
Maj.  Gen.  PHILLIPS." 

Gen.  Phillips  finding  that  he  could  not  get  any 
thing  by  assault,  he  next  tried  his  skill  in  attempting 
to  sap,  with  the  policy  of  friendship;  he  therefore 
wrote  another  letter  of  the  same  date,  under  the 
name  of 

"Private." 

MONDAY,  May  18,  1778. 
"Sm, 
"I  HAVE,  this  morning,  written  to  you  a  letter 


i92  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         QUNE,  i77s 

upon  public  matters.  I  will  now  assure  you,  that  I 
am  sorry  that  my  earnest  desire  of  preserving  a  com 
munication  of  intelligence  between  you  and  I  does 
not  meet  your  consent;  and  I  will  lament  that  you 
will  attend  to  the  sudden  reports  you  receive,  so  fully, 
and  act  upon  them,  without  that  good-humoured 
attention  to  me,  which  I  had  hoped  and  have  en 
deavoured  should  subsist  between  us.  You  and  I 
are  nearly  of  an  age — I  will  not  dispute  understand 
ings  with  you;  but  I  certainly  am  an  older  soldier, 
and  must  necessarily  know  the  customs  of  armies. 
Allow  me  to  assure  you,  the  manner  with  which 
things  are  taken  up  sometimes  deviates  from  military 
rule.  It  is  a  fixed  custom  to  go  from  the  head,  down 
wards;  and,  when  an  Ensign  offends  against  order, 
the  General  does  not  condescend  to  altercate  with 
him,  but  sends  his  orders,  his  desire,  or  his  opinion, 
to  the  commanding  officers;  and,  in  your  sending 
messages  to  young  officers,  it  injures  your  own  conse 
quence,  and  certainly  hurts  mine.  Believe  me,  that 
I  am  strict  against  any  breach  of  orders,  and  will 
never  suffer  it  to  pass  uncensured.  I  allow,  the  two 
officers  have  behaved  ill,  and  I  will  punish  them;  but 
the  getting  the  countersign  was  an  effect  of  good 
humour  and  simplicity  in  an  American  soldier.  Let 
me  once  more  request  of  you,  to  recollect  your  own 
situation,  and  it  will  put  mine  in  a  clear  view  to  you. 
Whenever  you  have  reports  against  any  of  our  troops, 
let  me  know  them,  and  I  will  give  instant  attention 
to  them;  but  you  will,  I  am  sure,  immediately  feel, 
that  sending  a  threat  to  two  officers,  that  you  would 
send  them  on  board  a  prison-ship,  and  never  in 
forming  me  wherefore,  was  not  strictly  conformable 
to  good  humour  or  good  discipline. 

"I  am,  with  a  very  hearty  desire  of  preserving 


juNE,i778]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  193 

harmony  and  order,  and  with  much  personal  regard, 

Yours,   &c. 

(Signed)  W.  PHILLIPS. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

To  which  the  following  answer  was  returned : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  May  19,  1778. 
"SiR, 

"  HAVING,  in  my  other  letter  of  this  date,  an 
swered  yours  of  yesterday,  I  now  reply  to  your  fa 
vour  of  the  same  date,  which  you  are  pleased  to  style 
"private."  I  can  assure  you,  Sir,  that  no  person 
living  wishes  to  act  with  good  humour  more  than  I 
do;  or  would  take  more  pains  to  cultivate  harmony 
and  a  good  understanding.  But  in  the  present  case, 
you  must  not  expect  that  I  shall  allow  myself,  either 
by  frowns  or  flatteries,  to  give  up  the  dignity  of  com 
mand  reposed  in  me. 

"I  wish,  I  am  determined,  to  extend  every  act  of 
generosity  towards  the  officers  of  the  Convention 
which  is  compatible  with  the  safety  and  honour  of 
my  country.  I  shall  not  take  up  matters  suddenly, 
or  proceed  rashly,  unless  circumstances  shall  render 
it  unavoidably  necessary;  and  although  you  may  be 
possessed  of  a  greater  share  of  understanding  than  I 
am,  and  an  older  soldier, — yet  I  have  endeavoured 
to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  my  duty,  and  the  customs 
of  armies  and  nations.  I  am  not  conscious  of  any 
deviations  from  those  rules  or  customs  in  general 
adopted  by  them. 

"The  General  who  commands  is  undoubtedly  the 
fountain  of  power,  and  all  orders  should  descend 
from  him  through  the  proper  officers  until  they  are 
communicated  to  the  lowest  order  of  the  army;  and 
that  commander  who  disputes  with,  or  threatens 


i94  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [juNE,i778 

young  officers,  undoubtedly  lessens  his  consequence 
and  will  soon  become  contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  an 
army.  Nothing  of  this  was  in  the  late  transactions, 
that  I  know  of:  having  received  a  report  of  the  con 
duct  of  the  two  officers,  I  ordered  them  to  be  con 
fined  to  their  quarters,  and  appointed  a  Court  of  In 
quiry  to  examine  into  the  grounds  of  the  complaint, 
that  I  might  have  a  clear  understanding  of  the  affair, 
and  order  accordingly.  In  all  cases  where  you  and 
the  troops  of  the  Convention  are  immediately  con 
cerned  in  the  orders,  I  have  always  directed  that  you 
should  be  served  with  a  copy.  As  to  any  threatenings 
being  sent  to  the  two  officers  of  confining  them  on 
board  a  guard-ship,  I  know  nothing  of  it. 

"The  main  difficulty  seems  to  arise  from  your  ap 
prehension  that  you  are  to  try  and  punish  all  offend 
ers  against  my  orders.  Here,  Sir,  notwithstanding 
your  knowledge  and  age  in  soldiery,  you  much  mis 
take,  and  cannot  support  those  your  pretensions  by 
any  rule  or  authority,  civil  or  military.  The  mo 
ment  you  piled  your  arms,  and  marched  off  the 
ground,  you  became  subject  to  the  standing  orders 
of  the  victor;  and  in  every  jurisdiction  through  which 
you  marched,  or  where  you  remain,  are  subject  to  all 
the  orders  and  laws  of  the  place;  and  such  as  violate 
them  are  obnoxious  to  punishment.  The  law  and 
custom  of  nations  explicitly  tell  us  who  are  to  try 
and  punish:  and,  although  I  do  not  in  the  least  doubt 
your  ready  disposition  to  inquire  into,  and  even  to 
punish  offenders  against  my  orders — yet  when  you 
attempt  it,  it  is  such  an  indignity  offered  to  my  au 
thority,  that  you  may  be  assured  it  ever  will  raise  my 
resentment;  and  if  it  did  not,  I  am  confident  that 
yourself  (at  least  hereafter)  and  all  military  men 
would  despise  me  for  my  insensibility.  In  a  word, 
Sir,  cultivate  those  principles  of  obedience  to  orders 


juNE,i778]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  195 

among  the  officers  in  your  situation,  recommended 
and  inculcated  by  the  custom  and  usage  of  nations, 
and  dictated  by  reason — and  you  may  depend  that 
I  shall  exert  myself  to  make  your  situation  as  agree- 
ble  as  possible;  and  you  may  be  also  assured  that 
I  never  shall  require  that  of  the  troops  of  the  Con 
vention  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the  just  and  wise 
in  any  country,  shall  reflect  dishonour  on  them. 
With  the  strongest  desire  to  cultivate  and  maintain 
harmony,  and  to  treat  you  with  respect,  and  with 
much  personal  regard, 

I  am,    &c. 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Maj.  Gen.  PHILLIPS." 

The  same  feelings  which  had  great  weight  in  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  continued  for  some  time, 
namely,  that  Great  Britain  was  one  of  the  greatest 
and  most  powerful  nations  in  the  world,  in  arts,  and 
in  arms;  while  the  Americans  were  yet  their  Col 
onies,  young,  weak,  and  but  barely  civilized,  igno 
rant  of  the  world,  and  especially  so  of  arts  and  of 
arms.  Hence  we  see  it  so  frequently  breaking  out, 
(until  experience  had  taught  them  a  different  opin 
ion).  There  was  frequently,  as  in  the  atmosphere, 
placid  intervals;  but  whenever  any  cross  wind  hap 
pened  to  blow,  (and  there  is  no  season  or  circum 
stances  without  them)  then  instantly  appeared  those 
ideas  of  self-superiority,  and  contempt  for  the  Amer 
icans,  which  was  the  true  cause  of  many  uncom 
fortable  hours.  Mankind  have  the  same  passions, 
the  difference  lies  in  some  riding  with  a  double  curb, 
while  others  give  the  reins. 

This  Convention  business  was  a  heavy  task  for  our 
General,  and  the  whole  subject  would  form  an  enter 
taining  volume  of  itself:  we  are  now  circumscribed 


196  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        QUN 

by  our  limits,  and  have  only  given  a  small  specimen 
for  mankind  to  form  an  opinion  for  themselves.  In 
all  the  letters  or  conversation  which  was  had  on  the 
occasion,  we  find  scarcely  a  reflection  cast  by  our  Gen 
eral  on  the  British  nation,  the  cause  in  which  they 
were  engaged,  or  against  any  who  were  fortunate,  or 
unfortunate;  but  a  uniform  desire  to  make  those 
placed  under  his  orders  as  comfortable  as  circum 
stances  would  admit;  at  the  same  time,  an  unshaken 
determination,  a  perseverant  watchfulness,  with  de 
cent  language,  to  defend  the  cause  and  honour  of  his 
own  country,  by  arguments  supported  by  the  cus 
toms  and  maxims  of  the  civilized  world.  The  hun 
dreds  of  letters  on  file,  are  all  proofs  of  this;  and  in 
many  instances  it  was  politely  acknowledged. 
The  two  following  letters,  of  different  dates,  are 

some  of  the  specimens. Major  Harnage  had  his 

lady  with  him: 

((~  CAMBRIDGE,  October  30,  1778. 

"WITH  great  pleasure  I  acknowledge  the  favour 
of  your  obliging  letter;  and  Mrs.  Harnage  joins  me, 
with  Capt.  Hawker,  in  returning  you  our  sincere 
thanks  for  your  kind  representation  of  us,  and  solici 
tation  in  our  favour,  to  the  Honourable  Congress. 
"With  your  leave,  we  shall  with  patience  wait  the 
result;  and,  let  the  Congress  determine  in  what  man 
ner  they  please,  our  obligations  to  you,  Sir,  will  be 
ever  acknowledged. 

Believe  me,  Sir,  with  respect, 

Your  obliged  humble  servant, 

HENRY  HARNAGE. 
Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

CAMBRIDGE,  June  10,  1779. 
"SiR, 
"BEING   this   moment   informed   that  you   are 


juLY,i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  197 

about  to  quit  Boston,  I  must  beg  leave,  previous  to 
your  departure,  to  trouble  you  with  these  our  ac 
knowledgements,  for  the  civility  and  attention  you 
have  been  pleased  to  shew  us;  and  to  assure  you  that 
Mrs.  Harnage,  Capt.  Hawker  and  myself  shall  ever 
retain  a  due  sense  of  all  favours,  by  which  you  have 
kindly  endeavoured  to  alleviate,  and  make  easy,  the 
restraints  and  disagreeable  circumstances  that  una 
voidably  attend  our  present  situation. 

"We  hope  you  will  mention  us  to  the  gentleman 
who  is  to  succeed  to  the  command  in  the  Eastern 
Department. 

"Wishing  you  all  personal  happiness,  I  remain 
with  respect,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
Obliged  humble  servant, 

HENRY  HARNAGE. 

The  Hon.  Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

29th. — A  Spanish  xebeck  and  a  French  cutter  ar 
rived  at  Boston,  with  dispatches  from  their  respec 
tive  Courts,  which  were  forwarded  to  Congress. 

3Oth. — Certain  intelligence  was  received,  that  the 
British  had  left  Philadelphia. 

July  9th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  a  warm 
action  happened  on  the  28th  ult.  between  Gen. 
Washington's  and  Gen.  Clinton's  armies,  near  Mon- 
mouth  Court  House,  in  the  Jerseys.  Gen.  Clinton, 
having  taken  the  resolution  to  move  from  Philadel 
phia  to  New  York,  through  the  Jerseys,  commenced 
his  movements  accordingly,  encumbered  with  an  im 
mense  train  of  stores  and  baggage,  which  occupied 
some  miles  in  length;  and  these  are  the  greatest  in- 
cumbrance  to  a  General,  on  a  march  of  danger  from 
an  attack  of  his  opponent,  to  which  he  can  be 
exposed. 

Gen.  Washington  was  no  sooner  apprised  of  this 


198  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  I778 

intention  and  movement  of  the  British  General,  than 
he  made  his  arrangements  accordingly,  crossed  the 
Delaware,  and  pushed  detached  corps  forward  to 
obstruct  the  advance,  gall  the  flanks,  and  fall  on  the 
rear  of  the  enemy,  while  he  moved  on  with  the  body 
of  his  army.  By  the  2yth,  Gen.  Clinton  had  got  on 
as  far  as  Monmouth,  and  Gen.  Washington's  de 
tached  troops  were  on  his  flanks,  and  close  on  his 
rear.  Here  the  British  General  took  a  wise  resolu 
tion  to  make  a  stand  with  a  part  of  his  best  troops, 
while  he  pushed  on  his  baggage  through  the  difficult 
defiles,  under  the  careful  and  experienced  hand  of 
Gen.  Knyphausen. 

Gen.  Washington,  acting  with  equal  skill,  and 
equal  bravery,  made  every  arrangement  which  the 
moment  called  for.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th, 
he  ordered  Maj.  Gen.  Lee  to  attack  the  enemy's 
rear,  himself  moving  on  briskly  to  support  him;  but 
to  his  surprise,  as  he  advanced  on,  he  met  Lee's 
troops  retreating  and  the  enemy  impetuously  pur 
suing.  Here  was  Gen.  Washington  seen  in  all  his 
splendor;  for  this  critical  situation  is  the  orb  in 
which  he  shines  the  brightest.  He  rallied  the  re 
treating  troops:  he  inspired  them  by  precept  and  by 
example;  and  the  misfortune  of  the  morning  was 
considerably  retrieved.* 

The  Americans  fought  bravely,  and  so  did  the 
British.  After  hard  fighting,  in  a  most  intense  hot 
day,  when  scores  died  of  the  heat,  and  drinking  too 
freely  of  cold  water  when  they  could  find  it,  both 
armies  remained  on  the  ground.  The  Americans 
determined  to  re-commence  the  action  on  early  the 
next  morning;  but  Gen.  Clinton,  finding  that  his 
baggage  had  struggled  pretty  well  through  the  de 
files,  and  had  got  tolerably  well  advanced,  took  the 

*  See  Appendix  XVIII. 


jm.Y,I778]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  199 

advantage  of  the  cool  of  the  night  to  slip  off,  unper- 
ceived  by  the  Americans,  and  got  to  ground  where 
he  was  safe.  Some  sharp  words  took  place  between 
Gen.  Washington  and  Maj.  Gen.  Lee,  as  the  one 
advanced  and  the  other  retreated,  which  issued  in 
the  arrest,  trial  and  suspension  of  the  latter.  Gen. 
Washington  reported  to  Congress,  that  the  Amer 
icans  buried  of  the  British  4  officers  and  245  privates; 
among  the  former,  the  Hon.  Col.  Monckton,  (who 
was  a  brave  and  experienced  officer)  and  that  there 
were  a  few  prisoners.  The  American  loss:  killed, 
I  Lieutenant-Colonel,  I  Major,  3  Captains,  2  Lieu 
tenants,  I  Sergeant,  52  rank  and  file — wounded,  2 
Colonels,  8  Captains,  4  First-Lieutenants,  2  Second- 
Lieutenants,  i  Ensign,  i  Adjutant,  8  Sergeants,  I 
Drummer,  120  rank  and  file — missing,  5  Sergeants, 
126  rank  and  file;  of  the  artillery,  one  First-Lieu 
tenant,  7  Matrosses,  and  I  Bombadier  were  killed 
— one  Captain,  i  Sergeant,  I  Corporal,  i  Gunner, 
and  10  Matrosses  wounded — one  Matross  missing 
—six  horses  killed,  and  two  wounded.  Both  Gen 
erals  undoubtedly  have  much  credit  for  their  con 
duct  in  this  action.  Gen.  Clinton's  object  being  to 
reach  New  York  with  his  baggage,  &c.  obtained 
this  victory,  with  the  loss  which  he  sustained.  Gen. 
Washington's  conduct  was  well  calculated  for  vic 
tory  on  his  side;  and  how  far  he  would  have  suc 
ceeded,  had  it  not  been  for  the  misfortune  of  the 
morning,  none  can  tell.  This  misfortune  began  by 
exposing  the  American  advanced  troops,  in  line,  on 
the  side  of  the  field  where  they  were  cannonaded  by 
the  British,  who  at  the  same  time  wisely  exposed  only 
their  artillery  to  that  of  the  Americans.  It  is  to  be 
remembered,  that  men  may  be  led  on  to  action  in 
the  face  of  a  cannonade,  before  which  they  will  not 
stand;  the  point  of  decision  is  in  the  mind;  while 


200  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  17 78 

advancing,  although  galled  by  the  fire  of  their  op 
ponents,  the  dead  and  wounded  are  left  behind  them 
as  they  fall,  and  the  troops  feel  an  ardour  for  ar 
riving  in  a  few  minutes  at  a  point  where  they  can 
use  their  own  arms,  to  retaliate  for  the  injury  they 
sustain.  But  when  men  are  placed  open  to  the  fire 
of  the  artillery  of  their  enemy,  at  such  a  distance  as 
to  prevent  the  use  of  their  own  arms  in  their  de 
fence,  the  dead  and  wounded  fall  and  lie  among  them, 
or  are  drawn  away,  and  every  groan  they  make  is 
heard.  The  troops  soon  conceive  that  they  are 
placed  as  marks  to  be  shot  at;  while  the  greater 
policy  of  the  enemy  keeps  their  column  or  line  out 
of  the  rake  of  their  cannon;  the  mind  gives  way,  and 
retreat  will  be  inevitable.  This  was  experienced  in 
this  instance,  and  the  fairest  hopes  of  a  noble  onset 
in  a  few  minutes  blasted;  and  these  were  some  of 
the  best  troops  in  the  army  too.  It  was  here  that 
the  firm  Col.  Wesson  had  his  back  peeled  of  its  mus 
cles,  almost  from  shoulder  to  shoulder,  by  a  cannon- 
ball.  The  confidence  of  the  troops  could  not  be 
fully  recovered,  until  they  saw  the  presence  of  their 
beloved  General. 

1 8th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  Count 
D'Estaing  had  arrived,  with  the  fleet  under  his  com 
mand,  off  the  Capes  of  Delaware.  The  fleet  con 
sisted  of  12  sail  of  the  line,  and  4  frigates.  Off  the 
coast  of  Virginia,  they  took  a  privateer,  fitted  out  of 
New  York,  of  26  guns — a  ship,  bound  from  New 
Providence  to  London — re-captured  a  French  snow, 
laden  with  dry  goods,  and  drove  a  British  ship  of 
war  on  shore. 

1 9th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  about  2,000 
men,  said  to  be  invalids,  had  arrived  at  Rhode  Island 
from  New  York. 

2 1  st. — Intelligence  was    received  that  a  body  of 


JULY,  i778]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  201 

refugees  and  Indians  had  destroyed  the  town  of  Wy 
oming,  on  the  Susquehanna,  and  butchered  many 
of  the  inhabitants.  The  same  day,  it  was  learnt, 
that  Gen.  Washington  had  crossed  Hudson's  River 
with  the  main  army,  except  Gen.  Wayne's  brigade — 
that  Count  D'Estaing  had  appeared  off  Sandy  Hook 
— that  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  were  in  great 
consternation,  and  that  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
with  Glover's  and  Varnum's  brigades,  were  on  their 
march  for  Providence.* 

The  British  were  very  busy  in  fortifying  Rhode 
Island. 

25th  and  26th. — Sent  for  Providence  43,000  flints, 
five  tons  hard  bread,  a  quantity  of  dry  fish,  &c.  and 
sent  a  large  number  of  the  large  flat-bottomed  boats 
to  Wey mouth;  they  were  to  be  conveyed,  taking  the 
advantage  of  the  river,  to  the  vicinity  of  Rhode 
Island.  Half  of  Col.  Craft's  regiment  of  State  ar 
tillery  were  ordered  to  Tiverton;  the  other  half  of 
the  regiment  of  artillery,  and  a  draft  from  the  militia, 
to  the  number  of  3000  men,  including  1000  before 
ordered,  were  to  march  and  reinforce  Maj.  Gen. 
Sullivan  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island.  On  the  29th, 
at  noon,  the  Count  D'Estaing's  squadron  came  to 
anchor  off  Point  Judith,  and  at  evening  stretched  a 
line  from  that  Point  to  Seconnet. 

3 1  st. — The  regiment  of  State  artillery,  with  6  brass 
4-pounders,  and  2  brass  howitzers,  marched  for  Tiv 
erton;  and  the  next  day  the  marine  mortar  was  sent 
on,  slung  under  two  pair  of  stout  cart-wheels.  The 
British  sloop  of  war,  Kingfisher,  a  row-galley  and  a 
sloop,  stationed  near  Seconnet,  upon  the  approach 
of  a  French  frigate,  were  run  on  shore  by  their  own 
crews,  set  on  fire,  and  left  to  burn  and  blow  up. 
Maj.  Bumstead's  company  of  Boston  artillery,  with 

*  See  Appendix  XIX. 


202  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1778 

two  brass  field-pieces,  and  Lieut.  Dunnel,  with  a 
detachment  of  the  Continental  artillery,  with  two 
field-pieces,  marched  for  Rhode  Island,  and  the 
militia  and  volunteers  were  on  their  march  that  way; 
and  large  quantities  of  military  stores  and  provisions 
were  going  from  hence. 

August  loth. — Major-General  Hancock,  with  his 
suit,  went  for  Rhode  Island,  to  take  the  command 
of  the  militia.  The  same  morning,  Gen.  Sullivan 
made  a  landing  on  the  island,  without  opposition. 
About  the  same  time,  the  Count  D'Estaing,  with  his 
squadron,  passed  the  British  batteries  at  Newport, 
when  there  was  a  brisk  cannonade  on  both  sides. 
Many  of  the  shot  struck  in  the  town,  and  the  inhab 
itants  were  in  much  consternation,  not  knowing  in 
what  place  they  were  safe.  A  shot  entered  the  door 
of  the  house  of  Mrs.  Mason,  a  widow  lady,  a  little 
above  the  floor:  as  the  family  were  passing  from 
room  to  room,  not  knowing  where  the  next  shot 
might  strike,  young  Mr.  Mason,  passing  through 
the  entry,  found  the  black  man  of  the  family  sitting 
with  his  back  against  the  shot-hole  in  the  door;  on 
being  asked  why  he  sat  there,  he  answered,  "Master, 
you  never  know  two  shot  to  go  in  the  same  place." 
Under  this  idea  he  was  tranquil.  Lord  Howe's  fleet 
appeared  in  the  offing,  consisting  of  8  sail  of  the  line, 
and  12  frigates. 

nth. — The  Count  came  to  sail,  and  stood  out, 
and  the  British  fleet  stood  off — the  wind  very  fresh. 

I3th. — A  most  severe  storm  of  wind  and  rain, 
which  stripped  many  trees  of  their  fruit,  and  tore 
others  up  by  the  roots,  &c. 

The  troops  on  Rhode  Island,  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Sullivan,  were  on  the  nth,  10,122,  includ 
ing  officers,  exclusive  of  some  volunteers  from  New 
Hampshire,  and  other  corps,  arranged  as  follows: 


AuG.i778]          HEATH'S  MEMOIRS                 203 

Varnum's  brigade,  including  officers,  ,037 

Glover's,  ,131 

Cornell's,  ,719 

Greene's,  ,626 

Lovell's,  ,158 

Titcomb's,  957 

Livingston's   advance,  659 

West's  reserve,  i>O25 

Artillery,  810 


Total,    10,122 

These  were  encamped  at  and  near  Quaker  Hill. 
The  storm  destroyed  a  great  number  of  cartridges, 
owing  to  the  badness  of  the  boxes.  A  fresh  supply 
was  sent  on  from  Boston. 

1 5th. — The  army  advanced,  and  in  the  afternoon 
arrived  within  two  miles  of  the  enemy,  without  the 
least  opposition.  Gen.  Washington  with  the  main 
army,  was  at  the  White  Plains,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  said  to  be  about  20,000  strong.  Seventeen 
transports  with  troops  from  Gen.  Howe's  army  at 
New  York,  sailed  for  Rhode  Island;  but  rinding  the 
French  squadron  in  the  way,  could  not  come  to  the 
place. 

On  the  evening  of  the  i6th,  Gen.  Sullivan  took 
possession  of  some  high  grounds  which  commanded 
the  enemy's  works  on  their  right,  and  was  not  dis 
covered  until  morning,  when  they  began  to  cannon 
ade  the  Americans,  but  did  them  no  damage,  which 
was  continued  the  next  day  without  injury. 

On  the  night  of  the  I7th,  the  covered  way  was 
nearly  completed,  and  also  two  batteries  of  cannon. 
The  enemy  fired  300  or  400  shot,  but  did  no  other 
damage  than  slightly  wounding  two  men. 

1 9th. — The  American  works  were  advanced  nearer 


204  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1778 

to  the  enemy,  and  on  the  20th  they  had  one  man 
killed  and  two  wounded  by  the  enemy's  cannon.  In 
the  afternoon  the  Count  D'Estaing  returned  to  New 
port — his  own  ship,  the  Languedoc,  was  totally  dis 
masted  in  the  storm,  and  lost  her  rudder.  In  this 
situation,  an  English  50  gun  ship  of  Lord  Howe's 
squadron,  came  across  her,  and  got  under  her  stern, 
where  she  did  the  Languedoc  some  small  damage; 
but  on  nearing  the  Languedoc,  so  as  to  bring  some 
of  her  heavy  metal  to  bear,  the  Englishman  bore 
away.  The  Marseilles,  a  74,  lost  her  foremast  in 
the  storm,  and  the  Caesar,  a  74,  parted  from  the 
squadron. 

22d. — In  the  afternoon,  the  Caesar  came  to  anchor 
in  the  light-house  channel,  (Boston  lower  harbour). 
After  parting  from  the  squadron  in  the  storm,  she 
fell  in  with  a  British  50  gun  ship,  with  whom  she 
was  engaged  for  near  three  glasses,  and  would  have 
taken  her,  had  not  some  other  English  ships  hove  in 
sight.  The  Caesar  had  160  men  killed  and  wounded, 
about  60  of  which  were  of  the  former;  and  the  Cap 
tain  among  the  latter,  who  lost  an  arm.  On  his 
being  brought  up  to  Boston,  our  General  imme 
diately  paid  him  a  visit,  and  expressed  to  him  his 
regret  for  the  arm  he  had  lost;  to  which  the  Captain 
replied,  although  very  weak  through  the  great  loss 
of  blood  he  had  sustained — that  he  was  ready  to 
lose  his  other  arm  in  the  cause  of  the  Americans. 
Remember  this,  ye  Americans,  in  future  times! 

The  same  day,  the  enemy  threw  2  or  300  shells  at 
our  troops  on  Rhode  Island;  two  men  only  were 
wounded,  and  the  fire  briskly  returned.  The  Count 
D'Estaing  determined  to  come  round  with  his  squad 
ron  to  Boston,  and  Gen.  Sullivan  must  retreat  to  the 
north  end  of  the  island.* 

*  See  Appendix  XX, 


SEPT.I778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  205 

26th. — Maj.  Gen.  Hancock  returned  to  Boston. 
The  volunteers  were  coming  home. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  the  Count  D'Estaing, 
with  his  squadron,  arrived  in  Nantasket  Road,  and 
the  next  day  the  Count  came  up  to  town. 

On  the  2Qth,  there  was  a  smart  action  between  the 
British  and  Americans,  towards  the  north  end  of 
Rhode  Island,  which  terminated  in  favour  of  the 
latter.  The  most  severe  part  of  this  action  was  at 
the  hollow  between  Butt's  Hill  and  Quaker  Hill,  a 
ground  situated  for  slaughter  on  both  sides,  rather 
than  for  decisive  victory  on  either.  Col.  Jackson's 
regiment  of  Continental  troops,  and  Gen.  Lovell's 
brigade  of  militia,  are  said  to  have  distinguished 
themselves;  and  the  artillery  drove  off  two  frigates 
that  attempted  to  cover  the  enemy's  flank.  The 
Americans  had  about  60  men  killed,  and  1 80  wound 
ed.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  unknown. 

On  the  evening  of  the  3Oth,  Gen.  Sullivan  left 
the  island;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  3ist,  an  ex 
press  from  Plymouth  brought  intelligence  that  20 
sail  of  topsail  vessels  were  seen  off  that  place  the 
evening  before — some  of  them  very  large  ships.  In 
consequence  of  this  intelligence,  our  General,  the 
President  of  the  Council,  Gen.  Hancock,  and  others, 
went  down  the  harbour,  to  confer  with  the  Count 
D'Estaing. 

The  next  day,  September  ist,  the  Count  came  up 
to  town,  with  a  number  of  his  officers,  and  was  to 
dine  with  our  General.  Just  as  the  company  were 
going  to  sit  down,  the  signal  guns  announced  the 
appearance  of  the  fleet,  and  which  were  visible  from 
the  town,  (Mr.  John  Cutler  having  discovered  them 
from  the  steeple  of  the  Old  South  meeting-house) 
appearing  to  be  about  20  sail,  eight  of  which  at  least 
were  two  deckers.  The  Count  immediately  put  off 


2o6  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  i778 

for  the  squadron.  Several  of  the  islands  next  to  the 
road  had  been  fortified,  and  the  squadron  moored, 
in  order  to  give  a  warm  reception  to  the  British, 
should  they  attempt  to  enter  the  road.  A  number 
of  regiments  of  the  militia  of  the  vicinity  were 
ordered  to  march  immediately  to  the  Castle,  Dor 
chester  Heights,  Boston,  Noddle's  Island,  &c.  Sev 
eral  signal  guns  were  heard  in  the  bay  the  latter  part 
of  the  night,  and  the  next  morning  the  fleet  was  out 
of  sight.  The  militia  which  were  coming  in  were 
countermanded.  Admiral  Byron's  squadron  arrived 
a  few  days  before,  at  Sandy  Hook.  The  enemy 
made  a  descent  on  New  Bedford,  and  did  consid 
erable  damage:  they  also  made  a  demand  on  the 
inhabitants  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  for  a  large  number 
of  cattle,  sheep,  &c. 

Qth. — An  affray  happened  in  Boston  between  some 
American  and  French  sailors;  two  French  officers 
in  attempting  to  part  them,  were  much  wounded — 
one  of  them,  a  Major  of  the  fleet,  died  of  the  wounds 
on  the  I5th. 

Brigadier-General  Speckt,  the  eldest  Brigadier  of 
the  Hessian  troops  under  the  Convention,  wrote  a 
letter  to  our  General,  in  which  he  informed  him, 
that,  being  advanced  in  age,  he  had  but  little  taste 
for  those  pleasures  and  amusements  which  please  the 
young  and  gay;  but  he  had  not  lost  his  taste  for 
sporting  with  his  gun,  and  requested  that  he  might 
do  it  within  the  limits  of  his  parole.  Nothing  could 
be  more  pleasing  to  our  General,  than  to  gratify  this 
brave  veteran  soldier;  he  therefore  wrote  him  the 
following  answer: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  BOSTON,  Sept.  loth,  1778. 
"SiR,  f 
"YOUR  letter  of  the  Qth  inst.  came  safe  to  hand. 


SEPT.i778]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  207 

The  frequent  informations  which  I  have  received  of 
your  civil  and  polite  behaviour,  since  you  have  been 
at  Cambridge,  and  your  taste  for  little  diversion  ex 
cept  shooting,  leads  me  to  grant  you  every  indulgence 
which  is  compatible  with  my  duty,  and  the  honour 
and  safety  of  my  country.  You  therefore  have  my 
permission  to  go  a  shooting  within  the  limits  assigned 
you,  attended  by  one  servant;  and  hope  the  amuse 
ment  will  equal  your  expectation. 

I  am,    &c. 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

Brig.  Gen.  SPECKT." 

iyth. — The  General  Assembly  ordered  1,200  men 
to  be  detached  from  the  militia,  and  marched  to 
Boston  immediately;  and  on  the  iQth,  ordered  one- 
third  part  of  their  train-band  to  be  immediately  de 
tached  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  works  in 
and  about  the  town  of  Boston — garrisoning  the  works, 
&c.  Our  General  went  on  board  the  Count's  ship, 
and  with  him  to  view  the  works  on  George's  Island. 

22d. — The  Count  D'Estaing,  with  the  officers  of 
his  squadron,  made  a  public  appearance  in  town — 
were  received  by  a  Committee  of  both  Houses  of 
the  General  Assembly,  at  their  landing — breakfasted 
at  Gen.  Hancock's — took  punch  and  wine  at  Head- 
Quarters,  at  twelve  o'clock;  and  then  returned  to 
the  fleet,  under  a  salute  on  leaving  the  town,  and  on 
passing  the  Castle. 

The  grand  army  under  Gen.  Washington  took  a 
new  position;  one  division  under  the  immediate  com 
mand  of  Gen.  Putnam,  at  Fishkill;  one  under  Gen. 
de  Kalb,  at  Fredericksburg;  and  one  under  Gen. 
Gates,  at  Danbury. 

24th. — The  General  Assembly  countermanded 
their  orders  for  calling  out  one  third  part  of  their 


208  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i778 

train-band,  and  ordered  that  they  be  held  in  readi 
ness  to  march  on  the  shortest  notice,  wherever  occa 
sion  shall  require. 

25th. — The  General  Assembly  made  a  public  din 
ner  for  the  Count  D'Estaing,  &c.  &c.  The  next 
day,  the  Count  D'Estaing,  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
and  a  number  of  other  officers  and  gentlemen,  dined 
with  our  General. 

October  5th. — The  British  destroyed  the  salt-works 
and  several  stores,  and  did  other  damage,  at  Egg 
Harbour;  they  also  surprised  a  part  of  Pulaski's 
legion  in  that  neighborhood,  whom  they  handled 
very  severely.  The  British  pretended  that  they  had 
heard  that  Pulaski  had  instructed  his  men  not  to  give 
them  quarter;  they  therefore  anticipated  retaliation. 
About  the  same  time,  Baylor's  dragoons  were  sur 
prised  at  Tappan,  and  treated  much  in  the  same 
manner.  Nocturnal  enterprises,  in  which  the  bayo 
net  is  principally  made  use  of,  are  generally  uncom 
monly  bloody. 

The  Languedoc,  the  Count's  ship,  having  been 
completely  repaired,  fell  down  to  Nantasket  Road, 
and  joined  the  squadron. 

6th. — Gen.  du  Portail,  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
American  army,  came  to  Boston  to  survey  the  several 
works,  in  order  to  their  being  repaired  or  augmented, 
as  might  appear  necessary;  and  fatigue  parties  were 
employed  on  the  different  works,  and  every  thing 
put  in  the  best  posture  of  defence. 

2Oth. — Our  General,  in  company  with  the  Count 
D'Estaing  and  others,  went  to  Nantasket  to  take  a 
view  of  the  works  there,  and  to  review  a  battalion  of 
marines,  who  manoeuvred  well,  and  in  every  partic 
ular  were  well  disciplined,  owing  to  the  unwearied 
attention  of  their  Major,  M'Donald,  a  Scotchman, 
whose  father  was  in  the  rebellion  in  England,  and 


Nov.i778]  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  209 

with  his  son  fled  to  France  for  safety.  Gen.  Bou- 
ganville  had  the  command  at  Nantasket;  he  was 
also  commander  of  one  of  the  first  ships  in  the  fleet 
under  the  Count  D'Estaing.  The  enemy  left  the 
Jerseys,  and  prepared  to  embark  a  large  body  of 
troops.  About  100  sail  of  shipping,  including  men- 
of-war,  fell  down  to  the  Hook  on  the  iyth  of  October. 
On  the  iQth  and  2Oth,  the  fleet  sailed  from  Sandy 
Hook;  the  first  division  consisted  of  upwards  of  120 
sail,  of  which  15  were  of  the  line,  and  10  or  12 
frigates.  This  fleet  went  to  the  West  Indies,  with 
about  4,000  troops.  The  second  division,  about  30 
sail,  of  which  2  were  of  50  guns,  and  2  frigates. 
They  stood  to  the  eastward;  there  was  but  few 
troops  on  board  the  latter.  Six  brigades  of  the 
Continental  army  were  on  their  march  for  Hartford, 
in  Connecticut,  to  be  ready  to  move  this  way,  should 
the  enemy  appear  in  this  quarter;  and  Maj.  Gen. 
Gates  was  ordered  to  take  the  command  in  the 
Eastern  Department. 

November  4th. — In  the  morning  the  Count  D'Es- 
taing's  squadron  sailed  from  Nantasket  Road. 

6th. — Maj.  Gen.  Gates,  with  his  lady,  suite,  &c. 
arrived  at  Boston.  The  Somerset,  British  man-of- 
war,  of  64  guns,  run  ashore  on  Cape  Cod,  and  was 
taken  possession  of  by  the  militia,  who  sent  the  crew 
prisoners  to  Boston. 

yth. — Maj.  Gen.  Gates  took  the  command  at  Bos 
ton.  In  the  next  Continental  Journal,  printed  by 
John  Gill,  the  following  made  its  appearance: 

BOSTON,  Nov.  12. 

"On  Thursday  last,  arrived  in  town,  from  Hart 
ford,  the  Hon.  Horatio  Gates,  Esq.  Major-General 
in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  being  appointed 
by  Congress  to  the  chief  command  in  the  Eastern 


2io  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [NOV.  1778 

District,  in  the  room  of  the  Hon.  Major-General 
Heath. 

"While  we  receive,  with  the  highest  pleasure,  a 
General  justly  celebrated  for  his  personal  virtues  and 
martial  achievements,  we  cannot  but  pay  a  due  trib 
ute  of  respect  to  one,  whose  accomplishments  as 
a  citizen,  a  gentleman,  and  an  officer,  have  shone 
so  conspicuously  in  the  delicacy,  propriety,  and  dig 
nity  of  his  private  and  public  conduct,  through  the 
whole  of  his  command  in  this  department. 

"Tenacious  of  the  civil  rights  of  the  community 
and  of  the  honour  and  safety  of  these  Free,  Sovereign 
and  Independent  States,  so  far  as  they  were  entrusted 
to  his  protection,  in  the  most  interesting  and  critical 
circumstances  in  which  a  General  could  possibly  be 
placed,  he  has  uniformly  exhibited  a  prudence,  ani 
mation,  decision  and  firmness,  which  have  done  him 
honour,  and  fully  justified  the  confidence  reposed  in 
him. 

"The  cordial  and  most  explicit  approbation  of  the 
army,  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  the  army  and 
navy  of  our  illustrious  ally,  the  Government  of  this 
State,  his  Excellency  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and 
of  Congress,  added  to  the  consciousness  of  his  having 
discharged  his  trust  with  fidelity — must,  in  a  great 
measure,  have  alleviated  the  fatigues  incident  to  his 
arduous  station,  and  compensated  the  loss  of  his 
health,  so  much  impaired  by  an  incessant  attention 
to  business. 

"The  very  polite  and  affectionate  terms  in  which 
he  has  taken  leave  of  the  department,  in  his  last 
general  orders,  demand  also  our  most  grateful 
acknowledgments." 

loth  and  nth. — The  Convention  troops  marched 
for  Virginia.  They  were  marched  to  Connecticut, 
and  delivered  to  the  orders  of  Gov.  Trumbull;  and 


DEC.  i778]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  211 

were  in  like  manner  to  be  conveyed  from  State  to 
State,  each  furnishing  an  escort,  wagons,  &c.  until 
they  reached  Virginia.  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
having  refused  to  give  passports  to  American  vessels 
to  bring  to  Boston  provisions  for  the  use  of  the 
Convention  troops,  or  otherwise  supplying  of  them, 
Congress  on  the  I5th  of  October,  passed  a  resolve 
that  the  troops  of  the  Convention  should  be  removed 
to  Qiarlottesville  in  Virginia,  and  they  were  now 
moving  accordingly. 

24th. — It  was  learnt  that  the  brigades  which 
marched  from  the  American  grand  army  to  Hart 
ford,  marched  back  to  Danbury.  In  this  month, 
Col.  Alden,  of  one  of  the  Massachusetts  regiments, 
with  his  clerk,  were  surprised  and  killed  by  the  Tories 
and  Indians,  at  Cherry  Valley,  in  the  State  of  New 
York.  The  regiment  defended  the  place,  and  re 
pulsed  the  enemy.  The  American  army  went  into 
winter  quarters  in  the  Jerseys,  at  Danbury,  Peeks- 
kill,  &c.  Capt.  Hallet,  on  the  23d,  on  George's 
Bank,  latitude  41  40  north,  in  18  fathoms  water,  dis 
covered  a  mast  10  or  12  feet  above  water;  upon  a  close 
examination,  supposed  it  to  be  the  top-mast  of  a  74 
gun  ship  of  Admiral  Byron's  squadron,  which  foun 
dered  in  the  storm,  when  the  Somerset  ran  on  shore. 

December  iQth. — It  was  learnt  that  the  small  armed 
vessels  of  the  enemy  did  considerable  damage  to  the 
inhabitants  along  the  eastern  coast  of  Massachusetts, 
by  plundering,  taking  their  coasting  vessels,  &c.  A 
little  before  this  time,  Colonel  Joseph  Ward,  Muster- 
Master-General,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Bradford,  were  taken 
by  a  gang  of  refugees,  in  the  Jerseys,  and  carried  to 
New  York. 

27th. — Our  General  received  letters  from  Admiral 
Gambier,  respecting  the  prisoners  taken  from  the 


212  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [JAN.  i779 

Somerset  man-of-war,  and  proposing  an  immediate 
exchange;  the  letters  couched  in  very  polite  terms. 

28th. — A  wagoner,  his  horse  and  four  oxen  were 
found  frozen  to  death  near  the  dyke,  on  Boston  neck; 
they  perished  in  the  severe  cold  storm  on  the  preced 
ing  Saturday  evening. 

A  more  particular  account  from  Cherry  Valley 
stated  that  there  were  32  persons  killed,  beside  Col. 
Alden,  and  10  rank  and  file  belonging  to  the  Con 
tinental  army,  and  about  30  other  persons  taken 
prisoners;  32  houses,  31  barns,  one  grist-mill,  fulling- 
mill,  and  blacksmith's  shop,  burnt.  The  enemy  con 
sisted  of  200  refugees,  and  443  Indians,  commanded 
by  Joseph  Brant,  Walter  Butler,  and  the  Seneca 
Chief.* 

In  the  late  storm,  the  General  Arnold  privateer 
drove  on  shore  near  Plymouth,  and  bilged;  80  of 
the  crew  perished;  the  survivors  were  much  frost 
bitten. 

1779.  January  6th. — The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
and  Captain  Raimondis,  of  the  Caesar,  French  man- 
of-war,  who  was  wounded  and  left  at  Boston,  sailed 
for  France  in  the  Alliance  frigate. 

8th. — Capt.  Mowatt,  with  his  fleet  of  picaroons, 
were  still  infesting  the  eastern  harbours;  they  had 
already  captured  about  60  sail  of  vessels,  inward  and 
outward  bound,  and  burnt  several  houses,  &c. 

Congress  had  passed  a  resolution  for  calling  in  the 
whole  emission  of  Continental  bills  of  May  2Oth, 
1777,  and  April  nth,  1778,  for  which  the  possessors 
were  to  receive  loan  certificates,  or  new  emission  bills. 

2 1 st. — It  was  learnt,  that  the  enemy  had  made  an 
irruption  into  the  State  of  Georgia,  and  were  in  pos- 
sesssion  of  Sunbury.  Their  force,  at  first  about  500, 
was  said  to  have  increased  to  upwards  of  1000. 

*  See  Appendix  XXI. 


FEB.i779]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  213 

The  British  ship  which  foundered  on  George's 
Bank,  and  whose  masts  were  discovered  by  Capt. 
Hallett,  was  supposed  to  be  the  Cornwall,  of  74  guns. 
It  is  said  her  whole  crew  were  lost. 

February  ^d. — It  was  learnt  that  the  Count  D'Es- 
taing,  on  his  arrival  in  the  West  Indies,  made  an 
attack  on  the  British  in  the  island  of  St.  Lucia,  but 
was  defeated  with  considerable  loss,  after  which  he 
returned  to  Martinique. 

9th. — It  was  learnt,  that  a  number  of  Americans, 
confined  in  Gosport  prison,  in  England,  among  whom 
was  Doctor  Downer  of  Roxbury,  made  their  escape 
in  the  preceding  Sept.  by  sapping  with  great  address 
from  the  prison  under  the  yard  and  fence,  to  the 
distance  of  20  feet,  daily  concealing  the  earth  which 
they  dug,  in  the  chimney  of  the  prison.  This  Doctor 
Downer  is  the  person  mentioned  to  have  killed  a 
British  soldier  in  single  combat,  on  the  igth  of  April, 
in  the  battle  of  Lexington.* 

nth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
troops  had  made  themselves  masters  of  Savannah  in 
Georgia.  Their  light-infantry  having  stole  a  march 
upon  the  Americans,  by  a  pass  through  a  swamp, 
which  was  supposed  impassable,  and  thereby  de 
feated  our  army,  under  the  command  of  General 
Robert  Howe.  The  American  loss  was  said  to  be 
about  30  officers,  and  near  400  men,  killed,  wounded 
and  taken  prisoners.  This  event  threw  the  whole 
State  of  Georgia  into  the  hands  of  the  British.  The 
American  General  was  accused  of  misconduct,  and 
a  long  time  after  brought  to  trial,  and  honourably 
acquitted.  The  British  here  practised  art,  and  force 
was  obliged  to  yield  to  it.  Their  light-infantry  find 
ing  their  way  through  the  path  in  the  swamp,  bring 
ing  of  them  on  the  flank  and  in  the  rear  of  the 

*  See  Appendix  XXII. 


2i4  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  i779 

Americans,  where  they  were  not  expected,  or  not 
guarded  against,  proved  their  overthrow.  A  few 
shots  on  the  flank  or  rear  of  an  enemy  serve  to 
disconcert  them  more  than  a  heavy  fire  in  the  front. 
The  point  of  decision  here  lies  not  in  the  force,  but 
in  the  mind.  A  company  of  50  men  cannot  fire 
more  shots  in  the  same  given  time  on  the  flank,  or 
in  the  rear,  than  they  could  in  the  front;  but  these 
few  shots  will  have  more  effect  on  the  minds  of  the 
enemy  than  the  fire  of  a  whole  regiment  in  their 
front.  The  Americans  were  vastly  inferior  in  num 
bers  to  the  British,  and  must  at  any  rate  have  been 
forced  from  the  ground;  but  the  British  light-infantry 
passing  through  the  swamp,  was  the  first  misfortune. 

The  Continental  currency  was  now  greatly  depre 
ciated.  Provisions  very  scarce  and  dear,  flour 
especially  so,  and  many  families  in  Boston  almost 
destitute  of  this  necessary  article. 

26th. — The  following  resolution  of  Congress  was 
published  in  the  Boston  newspapers: 

In  CONGRESS,  October  Sth,  1778. 
"Resolved,  That  all  limitations  of  prices  of  gold  or 
silver,  be  taken  off." 

27th. — It  was  learnt  that  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  had  exhibited 
a  number  of  charges  against  Maj.  Gen.  Arnold,  while 
in  command  at  Philadelphia. 

March  7th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Gen. 
Tryon  had  lately  made  an  excursion  to  Horseneck, 
in  Connecticut,  where  he  burnt  three  small  vessels, 
destroyed  all  the  salt-works,  and  one  store;  plun 
dered  the  inhabitants  of  their  clothing,  &c.  and 
carried  off  about  200  cattle  and  horses,  and  some 
small  stock.  The  party  consisted  of  about  600  light- 
horse,  light-infantry,  rangers,  &c.  The  enemy  got 


APRIL,  1779]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  215 

off  with  the  loss  of  2  men  killed  and  20  made  pris 
oners;  giving  out  that  their  party  was  the  advance 
of  a  body  of  3  or  4000,  they  deceived  the  militia,  and 
so  escaped  a  severe  drubbing. 

nth. — It  was  learnt  that  on  the  25th  ult.  the  Brit 
ish  made  an  excursion  from  Staten  Island,  with  intent 
to  surprise  General  Maxwell,  who  was  stationed  with 
his  brigade  at  Elizabethtown,  in  the  Jerseys.  They 
landed  at  the  point  a  little  before  day-break,  and  in 
such  superior  force  as  obliged  the  General  to  aban 
don  the  town,  which  he  effected  without  loss.  The 
enemy  burnt  the  General's  quarters,  the  barns,  and 
a  store  or  two,  and  then  returned. 

29th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  General 
Washington  had  issued  a  proclamation,  offering  a 
pardon  to  all  deserters  from  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  who  should  return  to  their  duty  by  the  first 
day  of  May  following;  and  also  called  upon  all  ab 
sent  officers  to  join  their  respective  corps  by  that 
time. 

Maj.  Gen.  Sullivan  was  ordered  from  Providence 
to  the  main  army,  and  Maj.  Gen.  Gates  to  the  com 
mand  at  Providence. 

Capt.  Mowatt  again  made  his  appearance  on  the 
eastern  coast;  he  had  landed  some  men,  and  burnt 
Mr.  Shaw's  house. 

Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  British  had 
gained  an  advantage  on  the  borders  of  Georgia,  near 
Briar  Creek.  Col.  Elbert,  with  a  number  of  others, 
were  taken  prisoners.  Matters  did  not  wear  a  fa 
vourable  aspect  in  that  quarter;  but  it  was  hoped 
that  Gen.  Lincoln,  who  had  now  got  the  command, 
would  give  a  new  complexion  to  things  at  the  south 
ward. 

April  2d. — Maj.  Gen.  Gates  left  Boston  for  Prov- 


216  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  i779 

idence;  in  consequence  of  which  the  command  again 
devolved  on  our  General. 

nth. — It  was  learnt,  that  a  fleet  of  refugee  crui 
sers  made  an  attempt  to  land  a  number  of  men  near 
Falmouth,  (Cape  Cod)  but  were  repulsed  by  the 
militia.  They  next  proceeded  to  Nantucket,  where 
they  plundered  the  inhabitants  of  goods  and  effects. 
Edward  Winslow,  formerly  of  Marshfield,  was  said 
to  be  commander,  with  George  Leonard,  and  others. 

i6th. — The  Continental  frigates,  Warren,  Ranger, 
and  Queen  of  France,  had  been  very  successful  in  a 
cruise,  having  taken  seven  or  eight  prizes  going  from 
New  York  to  Georgia:  they  were  now  coming  in; 
among  them  the  Jason,  of  20  guns  and  150  men; 
and  Maria,  of  16  guns — four  field  and  about  twenty 
commissioned  officers,  were  on  board.  A  large  num 
ber  of  accoutrements  for  dragoons,  dry  goods  to  the 
amount  of  £100,000,  and  it  was  said  a  sum  in  specie 
— a  large  quantity  of  flour,  &c. 

A  great  uneasiness  prevailed  in  the  army  at  Prov 
idence  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  flour.  Relief 
was  sent  on. 

May  3d. — Capt.  Farnald,  of  New  Hampshire,  was 
unfortunately  shot  in  the  breast,  as  he  was  standing 
on  Hancock's  wharf,  by  a  musket-ball  discharged 
from  the  Warren  frigate. 

yth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Col.  Van- 
schaak,  of  the  New  York  line,  with  about  500  men, 
had  lately  made  an  excursion  to  Onondaga,  sur 
prised  the  cattle,  killed  12  Indians,  and  took  34 
prisoners;  destroyed  their  castle,  cattle,  provisions, 
&c.  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

nth. — Several  vessels  laden  with  rice,  on  account 
of  the  United  States,  arrived  at  Boston,  from  the 
southward,  which  was  a  great  relief  to  the  troops. 

An  embarkation  of  troops  had  sailed  from  New 


JUNE,  1779]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  217 

York,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Matthews,  con 
voyed  by  the  ships  under  the  command  of  Sir  George 
Collier.  They  entered  the  Capes  of  Virginia,  on  the 
8th.  The  Qth  or  loth  they  took  possession  of  a  fort 
at  the  entrance  of  Elizabeth  River,  on  the  west  side. 
They  destroyed  a  number  of  vessels,  stores,  provis 
ions,  &c.  and  returned. 

3Oth. — Sir  Henry  Clinton  moved  up  the  Hudson, 
with  a  large  body  of  troops,  covered  by  Sir  George 
Collier's  naval  force,  which  had  just  returned  from 
Virginia.  The  intention  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was 
to  seize  the  posts  at  King's  Ferry. 

3 ist. — Gen.  Vaughan,  with  the  troops  under  his 
command,  landed  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  a  few 
miles  below  Verplanck's;  and  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
on  the  west  side,  a  little  below  Stony  Point.  They 
soon  got  possession  of  both  the  points,  and  imme 
diately  rendered  them  more  defensible. 

June  4th. — Our  General  received  orders  from  Gen. 
Washington  to  join  the  main  army.  He  had  before 
ordered  all  the  heavy  cannon  at  Boston  and  Prov 
idence,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  to  be  sent  on 
to  Hudson's  River;  they  were  sent  on,  slung  under 
two  pair  of  stout  cart-wheels  each,  and  were  a  pon 
derous  load. 

Our  General  received  polite  and  affectionate  ad 
dresses,  on  his  leaving  the  department,  from  the 
officers  of  the  line — staff  department — the  officers 
of  the  Boston  regiment  of  militia,  &c. 

On  the  nth,  he  left  Boston,  accompanied  by  a 
large  and  respectable  number  of  officers  and  citizens, 
in  carriages  and  on  horse-back,  as  far  as  Watertown, 
where  the  gentlemen  had  ordered  an  elegant  dinner 
to  be  provided.  After  having  dined,  he  took  his 
leave,  amidst  a  shout  of  hearty  wishes  for  his  health 
and  prosperity. 


218  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  i779 

I4th. — He  reached  Springfield — was  met  some 
distance  out  of  town  by  Col.  Armand's  dragoons, 
and  the  officers  of  the  Springfield  department;  and, 
on  entering  the  town,  was  received  by  the  infantry 
of  the  legion,  and  a  salute  of  cannon  from  the  park. 
Here  he  quitted  the  extent  of  his  late  eastern  com 
mand.  He  was  escorted  out  of  town  by  the  officers 
of  the  several  military  departments,  and  Armand's 
dragoons. 

2ist. — He  arrived  at  New  Windsor;  and  on  the 
22d,  attended  Gen.  Washington  to  West  Point. 

23d. — Our  General  took  the  command  of  the 
troops  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  having  in 
front  all  the  out-posts  towards  New  York,  on  that 
side  of  the  river.  The  British  were  now  in  posses 
sion  of  both  the  points  at  King's  Ferry;  and  a  num 
ber  of  transports  had  lain  in  the  river  for  some  time. 
The  advanced  posts  of  the  Americans  at  this  time, 
on  this  side,  did  not  extend  lower  than  Peekskill; 
and  a  picket  mounted  every  night  at  the  south  foot 
of  Sugar  Loaf  Hill. 

On  the  morning  of  the  24th,  about  200  of  the 
enemy's  light-horse  came  up  as  far  as  Crom  Pond — 
surprised  two  militia  pickets — killed  and  took  pris 
oners  about  30  men.  About  130  light-infantry  of 
the  enemy,  at  the  same  time,  came  out  from  Ver- 
planck's  Point,  made  an  excursion  round,  and  then 
returned. 

On  the  morning  of  the  25th,  the  enemy's  light- 
horse,  and  about  1000  infantry,  were  at  Pine's  Bridge. 
Our  General  ordered  200  light-infantry,  under  the 
command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Grosvenor,  to  march  to 
Robinson's  stores,  near  Marpoach  Pond,  to  cover 
that  quarter. 

27th. — A  deserter  came  in  from  Verplanck's  Point, 
who  reported  that  the  British  army,  except  five  or 


juNE)I779]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  219 

six  regiments,  were  to  leave  the  Points,  and  were 
then  embarking.  Soon  after,  upwards  of  30  sail  of 
transports  were  seen,  standing  down  the  river.  The 
British  had  a  sloop  at  anchor  off  Peekskill  landing, 
and  a  ship  off  the  Dunderberg.  Lest  the  enemy 
meant  a  deception,  the  Americans  were  ordered  to 
lie  on  their  arms,  and  a  regiment  extra  was  ordered 
to  advance  on  the  heights. 

28th. — Three  deserters,  one  a  Hessian  musician 
with  his  horn,  came  in  from  the  enemy;  they  con 
firmed  the  testimony  of  the  former  deserter  that  the 
body  of  the  British  army  had  left  the  Points. 

29th. — Moylan's  horse  crossed  the  river,  to  rein 
force  the  left;  they  were  to  be  followed  by  Armand's 
legion.  At  evening  a  deserter  came  in  from  the 
enemy.  A  detachment  from  the  British  at  Rhode 
Island  arrived  at  New  York. 

Congress,  by  ballot,  chose  our  General  a  Commis 
sioner  of  the  Board  of  War;  which  was  communi 
cated  to  him  by  a  letter  from  his  Excellency  the 
President,  which  he  received  on  the  3Oth,  as  follows: 

PHILADELPHIA,  June  24-th,  1779. 
"Sm, 

"I  HAVE  the  pleasure  of  transmitting  to  you,  en 
closed,  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of  Congress,  of 
the  22d  ult.  by  which  you  will  perceive  that  you  are 
elected  to  the  place  of  a  Commissioner  to  the  Board 
of  War. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,    &c. 

(Signed)         JOHN  JAY,  President. 
Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

In  CONGRESS,  May  22d,  1779. 
"Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Commis- 


220  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  i779 

sioner  for  the  Board  of  War,  and  the  ballots  being 
taken,  Maj.  Gen.  W.  Heath  was  elected." 

Extract  from   the  Minutes. 
(Signed)         C.  THOMSON,  Secretary. 

Although  this  appointment  was,  in  its  nature,  very 
honourable,  with  a  salary  proportionate,  (4,000  dol 
lars  per  annum)  and  our  General  was  informed  that 
he  would  also  retain  his  rank  in  the  army,  he  abso 
lutely  declined  an  acceptance  of  it;  expressing,  in  a 
letter  to  his  Excellency  the  President,  the  high  sense 
he  entertained  of  the  honour  done  him  by  the  ap 
pointment;  yet,  that  he  chose  rather  to  participate  in 
the  more  active  operations  of  the  field. 

"July  1st. — Gen.  Huntington's  brigade  moved 
down,  and  took  post  at  the  gorge  of  the  mountains, 
near  the  Continental  Village.  A  deserter  came  in 
from  the  enemy. 

2d. — Col.  Rufus  Putnam  reconnoitred  the  enemy's 
positions  at  Verplanck's  and  Stony  Points.  At  even 
ing  a  deserter  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

About  360  of  the  enemy's  light-horse,  and  light- 
infantry,  came  out  from  Mile  Square,  and  attacked 
Col.  Sheldon's  light-horse,  who  were  posted  at 
Pound  Ridge,  about  90  in  number.  The  superior 
force  of  the  enemy  obliged  our  horse,  at  first,  to  re 
treat;  but,  being  reinforced  by  the  militia,  they,  in 
turn,  pursued  the  enemy.  Our  loss  was  one  Corpo 
ral,  one  Trumpeter,  and  eight  privates,  wounded: 
three  Sergeants,  one  Corporal,  and  four  privates  miss 
ing;  and  12  horses  missing.  The  standard  of  the 
regiment,  being  left  in  the  house  when  the  dragoons 
suddenly  turned  out,  was  lost.  Of  .the  enemy,  one 
was  killed,  four  taken  prisoners,  four  horses  taken, 
and  one  horse  killed.  The  enemy  set  fire  to  and 
burnt  the  meeting-house  and  Maj.  Lockwood's 


JULY,  1779]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  221 

house;  they  also  burnt  Mr.  Hay's  house,  at  Bedford. 

The  5th  was  an  excessive  hot  day,  with  a  thunder 
shower;  the  lightning  struck  in  the  encampment  of 
Col.  Putnam's  regiment,  on  Constitution  Island,  by 
which  one  man  was  killed;  several  received  much 
hurt,  and  a  large  number  were  stunned. 

The  enemy  entered  the  Sound — landed,  and  took 
possession  of  New  Haven — plundered  and  insulted 
the  inhabitants,  and  left  the  place. 

yth. — The  enemy  landed  at  Fairfield,  and  burnt 
many  houses,  &c. 

loth. — About  6  o'clock  P.  M.  our  General  re 
ceived  orders  from  Gen.  Washington,  to  march,  with 
the  two  Connecticut  brigades,  by  the  way  of  Crom 
Pond,  towards  Bedford.  The  next  morning,  al 
though  rainy,  the  first  brigade  marched  to  the 
Village. 

1 2th. — The  storm  ceasing,  the  tents  (although  as 
wet  as  water  could  make  them)  were  struck,  and 
the  troops  took  up  their  line  of  march,  reaching 
Amiwalk  about  sun-setting.  A  report  having  been 
spread  in  the  fore  part  of  the  day,  that  the  enemy 
were  at  or  near  Pine's  Bridge,  our  General  ordered 
the  baggage-wagons,  under  proper  escort,  to  file  off 
to  the  left,  and  pursue  a  road  running  parallel  with 
the  one  on  which  the  column  was  moving,  thereby 
keeping  the  column  between  the  enemy  and  the 
wagons.  Both  arrived  on  the  ground  of  encamp 
ment  within  a  few  minutes  of  each  other.  The 
troops  lay  on  their  arms,  without  pitching  their  tents. 
The  enemy  continued  their  depredations  at  the 
Sound,  and  burnt  some  houses  at  Norwalk. 

1 3th. — At  5  o'clock  A.  M.  the  troops  took  up  their 
line  of  march,  and  reached  Ridgefield,  where  they 
halted  for  the  night.  The  next  morning,  our  Gen 
eral  sent  off  all  the  tents  and  other  baggage  to 


222  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  i779 

Danbury,  and  took  up  his  line  of  march  towards 
Stamford.  When  he  ascended  the  high  grounds  in 
sight  of  the  sound,  the  enemy's  fleet  was  observed 
under  sail,  standing  off  and  on  between  Stamford 
and  Long  Island.  About  12  o'clock,  two  deserters 
from  Gen.  Clinton's  army  came  to  our  troops;  they 
had  left  the  British  army  two  or  three  hours  before, 
at  which  time  the  enemy  were  on  the  point  of  mak 
ing  a  movement;  the  corps  of  guides  and  pioneers 
being  then  assembled  at  Gen.  Clinton's  quarters. 
This  called  for  the  exercise  of  discretion.  The  troops 
on  board  the  transports,  with  Gen.  Tryon,  if  the 
whole  should  land,  were  far  inferior  to  the  force 
with  our  General;  but  the  main  British  army,  with 
General  Clinton,  was  by  far  superior  to  his.  If  the 
whole  of  the  Americans  had  marched  down  to  Stam 
ford,  Clinton,  by  five  or  six  hours'  forced  marching, 
might  have  crossed  his  rear,  and  have  cut  him  off 
from  a  communication  with  the  Highlands;  he  there 
fore  resolved  to  march  forward  to  the  Cross  Roads, 
one  of  which  went  directly  to  the  British  army, 
another  to  Stamford,  and  in  his  rear  to  the  High 
lands.  Here  he  took  a  position  in  order  of  battle, 
and  detached  Col.  Starr's  and  Meigs's  regiments, 
with  one  field-piece,  to  Stamford,  whose  approach 
towards  the  town,  in  open  view,  would  prevent  Tryon 
from  landing;  or,  in  case  he  did  with  superior  force, 
the  detachment  might  be  supported.  In  this  sit 
uation  the  troops  remained  until  dusk,  and  then 
took  a  more  advantageous  position  for  the  night, 
the  whole  lying  on  their  arms,  in  order  of  battle. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  I5th,  our  General  re 
ceived  information  that  the  shipping  had  gone  down 
towards  New  York;  he  therefore  moved  and  took 
a  strong  position,  between  Ridgefield  and  Bedford, 
sending  out  patrols  of  horse  and  foot,  on  all  the 


JULY,  i779]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  223 

roads.  This  movement  towards  the  Sound,  quieted 
the  minds  of  the  people,  and  saved  Stamford  and 
the  towns  from  destruction. 

While  the  attention  of  both  the  grand  armies,  and 
of  the  adjacent  country,  was  turned  towards  the 
Sound,  the  Great  WASHINGTON  ordered  General 
Wayne  to  strike  at  Stony  Point,  with  the  light-in 
fantry,  which  lay  not  far  distant  from  that  post. 
This  was  done  with  great  promptitude,  the  works 
being  carried  by  assault,  and  the  whole  garrison 
made  prisoners  of  war,  with  all  the  artillery,  ammu 
nition,  stores,  &c.  This  was  a  most  brilliant  affair. 

In  advancing  to  the  assault,  the  front  of  the  Amer 
ican  column  led,  with  unloaded  arms,  relying  solely 
on  the  use  of  the  bayonet.  As  they  approached  the 
works,  a  soldier  insisted  on  loading  his  piece — all 
was  now  a  profound  silence — the  officer,  command 
ing  the  platoon,  ordered  him  to  keep  on;  the  soldier 
observed  that  he  did  not  understand  attacking  with 
his  piece  unloaded;  he  was  ordered  not  to  stop,  at 
his  peril;  he  still  persisted,  and  the  officer  instantly 
dispatched  him.  A  circumstance  like  this,  shocks 
the  feelings;  but  it  must  be  considered  how  fatal  the 
consequence  would  have  been,  if  one  single  gun  had 
been  fired;  scores  would  have  lost  their  lives,  and 
most  probably  defeat  have  been  consequent;  and 
therefore  this  was  the  lesser  evil.* 

On  the  morning  of  the  i6th,  signal  guns  were 
heard  in  the  Sound,  towards  New  York,  at  intervals, 
from  two  o'clock  until  day-light.  Gen.  Clinton's 
army  moved  to  Mile  Square. 

Stony  Point  having  been  taken,  with  so  much 
eclat  to  the  American  arms,  Gen.  Washington  de 
termined  an  attempt  on  Verplanck's  Point,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Hudson  and  opposite  to  Stony  Point: 

*  See  Appendix  XXIII. 


224  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  i779 

for  this  purpose  Maj.  Gen.  Howe,  with  two  brigades 
and  some  12-pounders  on  travelling  carriages,  was 
ordered  to  proceed  by  the  way  of  Peekskill,  throw 
a  bridge  over  the  creek,  move  on  to  the  point,  and 
open  batteries  against  the  enemy's  works,  while  a 
cannonade  and  bombardment  was  kept  up  across 
the  river  from  Stony  Point. 

I  yth. — At  about  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  our  General, 
while  out  reconnoitring,  received,  by  an  express  from 
Gen.  Washington,  orders  to  move  as  expeditiously 
as  possible  to  Peekskill,  where  he  would  find  Gen. 
Howe  with  two  brigades.  Our  General  was  to  take 
the  command  of  the  whole,  and  carry  into  effect  the 
orders  which  had  been  given  to  Gen.  Howe.  Our 
General  returned  immediately  to  the  troops,  and  at 
12  o'clock  began  his  march  towards  Peekskill — 
marched  until  dusk  15  miles,  when  the  troops  halted 
and  laid  down  to  rest  on  the  side  of  the  road;  the 
dragoons  not  unsaddling  their  horses.  At  3  o'clock 
the  next  morning,  the  troops  resumed  their  march, 
and  in  the  afternoon  our  General  received  informa 
tion  from  Gen.  Howe,  by  express,  that  Gen.  Clinton 
was  on  full  march  with  his  whole  army  towards  Ver- 
planck's  Point:  an  answer  was  returned  at  what  point 
the  troops  then  were,  and  that  they  were  marching 
as  fast  as  the  men  could  endure,  and  would  continue 
so  until  they  reached  him.  When  the  troops  had 
advanced  a  little  to  the  westward  of  Drake's  farm, 
Col.  Moylan  came  up  from  Gen.  Howe,  with  infor 
mation  that  a  part  of  Clinton's  army  were  then  above 
the  New  Bridge  on  Croton  river,  pushing  for  the 
point;  and  that  he  was  retreating  from  the  point  as 
fast  as  possible.  On  this,  our  General  ordered  Gen. 
Huntington,  with  his  brigade,  and  two  field-pieces, 
to  push  forward  as  fast  as  the  troops  could  march 
and  keep  in  breath,  and  take  a  position  on  the  high 


JULY,  i779]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  225 

ground,  to  the  south  of  Peekskill,  which  commands 
the  road  to  the  point,  and  also  that  to  the  New  Bridge 
on  Croton  river;  and  ordered  a  regiment  to  file  off  to 
the  right,  and  secure  the  pass  over  the  hills  between 
Drake's  and  Peekskill,  and  also  ordered  the  flank- 
guard  on  the  left  to  be  reinforced,  and  to  send  out 
small  flank-guards  still  further  from  its  flank.  The 
troops  moving  on  with  the  utmost  expedition  to  the 
ground  which  Gen.  Huntington  had  been  ordered 
forward  to  secure.  Every  moment  that  passed  was 
expected  to  announce  the  commencement  of  an  ac 
tion  between  the  advanced  or  flanking  parties  of  the 
two  armies,  but  it  did  not  take  place.  At  this  mo 
ment,  Gen.  Washington,  having  learnt  how  matters 
stood,  and  that  possibly  Gen.  Clinton  might  attempt 
to  push  into  the  Highlands,  sent  an  express  to  our 
General  to  move  into  the  Highlands  immediately, 
which  was  done  just  after  dark,  the  troops  passing 
the  night  on  Bald  Hill.  It  was  generally  the  opin 
ion,  that  if  our  General  had  not  been  at  hand  to  ad 
vance  in  the  manner  he  did,  that  Gen.  Clinton,  by 
a  forced  march  of  his  light  troops,  backed  by  his 
army,  would  have  got  in  the  rear  of  Gen.  Howe, 
before  he  could  have  possibly  gained  the  road  at 
Peekskill,  and  between  his  army  and  a  sally  from 
the  garrison  of  Verplanck's  Point  inevitably  cut  off 
the  whole.  Our  troops  at  Stony  Point  cannonaded 
and  bombarded  the  enemy's  works  at  Verplanck's 
during  the  whole  day,  and  until  near  midnight.  The 
post  was  then  evacuated,  and  the  Washington  galley 
was  blown  up. 

1 9th. — The  troops  moved  from  Bald  Hill,  Par- 
sons's  brigade  to  Robinson's,  Huntington's  and  Pat 
terson's  to  Nelson's,  Nixon's  to  the  gorge  of  the 
mountains. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2Oth,  the  British   army 


226  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [JULY,  i779 

moved  from  their  encampment,  near  the  New  Bridge, 
to  Dobbs'  Ferry.  The  shipping  in  Tappan  Bay 
came  to  sail,  and  stood  down  the  river.  By  a  new 
disposition  of  the  American  army,  on  this  day,  our 
General  was  to  command  the  left  wing;  it  then  con 
sisted  of  two  regiments  of  horse,  and  two  divisions 
of  infantry. 

22d. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  Verplanck's 
Point;  they  reported  that  the  garrison  consisted  of 
about  1000  men.  This  day  about  40  sail  of  trans 
ports  sailed  up  the  Sound.  The  British  army  en 
camped  near  Dobbs'  Ferry,  their  advanced  picket 
at  Jonathan  Odell's,  three  miles  below  Tarrytown; 
from  this  encampment  the  enemy  moved  to  Mile 
Square,  Valentine's  Hill,  &c.  A  deserter  from  Ver- 
planck's  Point  reported  that  the  British  had  again 
taken  possession  of  Stony  Point,  and  were  repairing 
the  works,  their  force  on  both  sides  of  the  river  being 
about  1500;  and  that  they  had  got  up  the  guns  of 
our  galley,  which  had  been  blown  up. 

25th. — The  British  having  sent  Col.  M'Lean,  in 
the  month  of  the  preceding  June,  with  six  or  seven 
hundred  men,  to  establish  a  post  at  the  mouth  of 
Penobscot  river,  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts 
determined  to  dislodge  them,  and  made  arrangements 
for  the  purpose.  The  armament,  with  the  troops, 
made  their  appearance  on  this  day  before  the  posts; 
the  issue  is  detailed  in  a  subsequent  page. 

26th. — Four  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy; 
they  reported  that  Stony  Point  was  repairing  with 
great  expedition,  and  that  Lord  Cornwallis  arrived 
at  New  York  on  the  24th. 

28th. — Four  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
Capt.  Hopkins,  of  the  dragoons,  took  the  Captain 
of  the  Bellona  transport,  a  Sergeant  and  Corporal  of 


AUG.  i779]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  227 

the  64th  British  regiment,  and  two  seamen,  who  had 
ventured  too  far  on  the  shore  near  Sing  Sing. 

2Qth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

3<Dth. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  Verplanck's 
Point.  This  morning,  Capt.  Hopkins,  of  Moylan's 
light  dragoons,  fell  in  with  a  party  of  the  enemy, 
under  Col.  Emmerick,  near  Young's  tavern,  and 
charged  them  vigorously;  but  the  Colonel  being  sup 
ported  by  the  Hessian  Yagers,  Capt.  Hopkins  was 
obliged  to  retreat:  he  brought  off  with  him  three 
prisoners  and  four  horses,  and  killed  six  of  the  enemy 
on  the  spot,  and  wounded  a  number.  Several  pris 
oners  which  he  had  taken,  were  retaken  by  the 
enemy.  Capt.  Hopkins  had  one  dragoon  and  two 
horses  wounded.  The  British  army  were  under 
marching  orders  for  several  days. 

3 1  st. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
A  body  of  the  enemy  landed  in  the  Jerseys. 

August  1st. — Capt.  Hopkins  gave  notice  that  the 
British  army  had  moved  below  Kingsbridge.  Three 
deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

2d. — Six  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy.  The 
British  army  encamped  on  York  Island:  Emmerick's 
and  Bearmore's  corps  above  Kingsbridge.  The 
American  army  remained  at  their  respective  posts 
in  the  Highlands. 

5th. — About  100  horse,  of  Sheldon's,  Moylan's, 
and  of  the  militia,  and  about  40  infantry  of  Glover's 
brigade,  passed  by  Delaney's  mills  to  the  neighbour 
hood  of  Morrisania,  where  they  took  12  or  14  pris 
oners,  some  stock,  &c.  The  enemy  collected — a 
skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the  enemy  had  a  number 
of  men  killed  and  wounded;  our  loss,  two  killed,  and 
two  wounded.  The  British  army,  below  the  7  mile 
stone  on  York  Island,  were  alarmed  by  a  report 
that  a  French  fleet  were  on  the  coast.  Three  de- 


228  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  i779 

serters  from  Verplanck's  Point;  they  reported  that 
the  garrison,  except  400  men,  were  to  remove  to 
New  York. 

Qth. — Four  deserters  from  the  point. 

loth. — Two  deserters  from  the  enemy.  There 
were  some  desertions  from  our  army  to  the  enemy. 

I4th. — Four  prisoners,  taken  the  I2th,  near  Sing- 
Sing,  were  sent  up,  and  two  deserters  from  the  Brit 
ish  33d  regiment  came  in. 

lyth. — Three  deserters  from  the  enemy. 

1 8th. — Seven  deserters  came  in;  the  enemy  were 
very  strongly  fortifying  Laurel  Hill,  on  New  York 
Island,  nearly  opposite  to  Fort  Washington. 

1 9th. — Twenty-three  wagon  loads  of  forage  were 
brought  off  from  the  vicinity  of  Peekskill,  covered 
by  250  men,  under  the  command  of  Lt.  Col.  Putnam. 
The  galley  and  one  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats  fired  a 
number  of  cannon-shot  at  the  party,  but  did  them 
no  harm.  The  night  before,  Maj.  Lee,  with  about 
400  men,  surprised  and  took  the  garrison  at  Paulus 
Hook.* 

2Oth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

2 1 st. — Two  deserters  came  in.  At  night,  the  en 
emy's  guard-boats  came  as  far  up  the  river  as  An 
thony's  Nose,  and  fired  several  shot  at  the  camp  of 
our  light-infantry. 

23d. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
The  enemy  burnt  two  houses  belonging  to  the  Lents, 
near  Verplanck's  Point.  Accounts  were  received,  that 
Gen.  Sullivan  had  advanced  into  the  Indian  country, 
and  taken  two  of  their  principal  villages. 

25th. — Admiral  Arbuthnot  arrived  at  New  York, 
with  about  200  sail  of  transports:  between  2  and 
3,000  troops  arrived  in  the  fleets,  and  a  large  sum  of 
money  was  brought  for  the  army.  The  Continental 

*  See  Appendix  XXIV. 


SEPT.  i779]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  229 

frigates  were  very  successful  at  sea,  and  sent  into 
Boston  several  rich  sugar  ships. 

3Oth. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  Verplanck's 
Point;  and  a  prisoner  belonging  to  the  33d  regiment, 
taken  by  one  of  our  patrolling  parties,  was  sent  up. 
About  15  sail  of  square-rigged  vessels  lay  at  anchor 
near  King's  Ferry.  1231  recruits,  of  the  2,000  or 
dered  by  Massachusetts,  to  serve  9  months,  had 
already  joined  the  army. 

September  4th. — Three  deserters  from  the  enemy. 

5th. — Two  deserters  came  in.  Preparations  were 
making  in  New  York  for  an  embarkation  of  troops. 
The  British  army  sickly,  especially  the  newly  arrived 
reinforcement. 

6th. — The  enemy  made  an  excursion  from  Kings- 
bridge,  towards  Horseneck;  on  their  return  they 
carried  off  some  cattle,  sheep,  poultry,  &c.  Ac 
counts  were  received,  that  General  Sullivan  had  ob 
tained  further  advantages  in  the  Indian  country. 

9th. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
Putrid  fever  and  scurvy  raged  at  New  York,  among 
the  British  troops.  The  American  army  remained 
in  their  former  position:  the  Virginia  line,  near  Ram- 
apo,  on  the  right;  the  light-infantry,  near  Fort 
Montgomery;  the  Maryland  line,  on  the  left  of  the 
light-infantry;  Pennsylvania  line,  and  two  brigades 
of  Massachusetts,  at  West  Point;  North  Carolina 
brigade,  at  Constitution  Island;  the  Connecticut  line, 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  between  Nelson's 
and  Robinson's;  Nixon's  brigade,  at  the  gorge  of  the 
mountains,  above  the  Continental  Village;  Glover's 
brigade,  Moylan's,  Sheldon's,  and  Armand's  horse, 
at  Lower  Salem.  On  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  be 
sides  Fort  Clinton,  at  West-Point,  and  Fort  Putnam, 
on  the  height  back  of  it,  there  were  seven  or  eight 
redoubts,  built  and  building.  On  the  east  side  of 


230  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.i779 

the  river,  the  north  and  middle  redoubts,  and  a  re 
doubt  at  the  gorge  of  the  mountains.  Great  ex 
pectations  of  the  arrival  of  a  French  fleet  on  the 
American  coast. 

1 3th. — Four  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

I4th. — Just  after  reveille,  our  General  received 
orders  to  put  Nixon's  brigade  under  marching  orders, 
which  was  done  immediately.  Gen.  Howe  was  or 
dered  to  move  with  Glover's  to  Pine's  Bridge,  Croten 
River,  and  Nixon's  to  join  him. 

1 5th. — A  deserter  came  in  from  Verplanck's  Point. 
The  day  before,  a  party  of  the  enemy's  horse  came 
out  from  Kingsbridge,  with  intent  to  surprise  Lieut. 
Col.  White;  but,  by  the  desertion  of  one  of  the  party, 
they  were  disappointed.  The  Count  de  la  Luzerne, 
the  new  French  Minister,  arrived,  and  dined  at  Gen. 
Washington's. 

1 6th. — Nixon's  brigade  marched  to  form  a  junc 
tion  with  Glover's,  and  a  picket  of  150  men  mounted 
at  the  Village.  Four  deserters  came  in  from  the 
enemy.  The  Count  Luzerne  was  highly  pleased 
with  the  treatment  he  received  in  passing  through 
the  New  England  States.  The  lyth,  he  left  head 
quarters,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia. 

1 8th. — Gen.  Howe  was  ordered  to  march  back  to 
Lower  Salem,  with  Glover's  and  Nixon's  brigades. 

iQth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
Some  appearances  indicated  an  evacuation  of  Ver 
planck's  Point. 

22d. — A  deserter  came  in  from  Kingsbridge. 
Preparations  for  the  embarkation  of  a  large  body  of 
troops  continued  at  New  York. 

29th. — Two  deserters  from  the  enemy,  and  one 
the  day  before. 

3<Dth. — The  engineers,  covered  by  a  detachment 
of  300  men,  reconnoitred  the  enemy's  works  at  Ver- 


ocT.i779]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  231 

planck's;  the  enemy  appeared  to  be  much  alarmed, 
and  fired  a  number  of  cannon  and  small-arms  at  our 
party,  and  a  reinforcement  came  over  from  Stony 
Point.  At  evening  another  deserter  came  in. 

October  ist. — The  American  light-infantry  moved 
down  near  to  Kakeat,  and  the  North  Carolina  brig 
ade  from  Constitution  Island  to  New  Windsor.  One 
deserter  from  the  enemy. 

2d. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
Certain  intelligence  was  received  that  the  Count 
D'Estaing  had  arrived  at  Georgia.  The  enemy,  at 
Verplanck's  Point,  opened  a  number  of  pits,  about 
five  feet  deep,  and  four  feet  over,  with  a  sharp  stake 
in  the  middle,  around  the  outside  of  the  abattis. 
By  the  last  accounts  from  Gen.  Sullivan,  he  was  at 
Tioga,  on  his  return  this  way;  he  had  destroyed  a 
great  number  of  Indian  towns,  and  immense  quan 
tities  of  corn  and  other  produce,  and  cut  down  many 
fruit-trees.  It  is  a  great  pity  the  latter  were  not 
spared;  they  would  have  been  very  pleasing  to  the 
American  settlers,  who  will  one  day,  not  far  distant, 
fill  that  fertile  country.* 

A  number  of  armed  vessels,  from  the  Connecticut 
ports  on  the  Sound,  cut  and  brought  off  a  number 
of  the  enemy's  vessels  from  Huntington  harbour, 
Long  Island,  and  the  Halifax  brig  was  taken  by  an 
armed  galley. 

4th. — Five  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 
Gen.  Howe  was  ordered  to  take  post  again  at  Pine's 
Bridge. 

5th. — The  Sieur  Gerard,  the  late  French  Minister, 
came  to  camp,  and  dined  at  head-quarters.  Two 
days  before,  Lieut.  Gill,  of  the  dragoons,  patrolling 
in  East  Chester,  found  a  superior  force  in  his  rear, 
and  no  alternative  but  to  surrender  or  cut  his  way 

*  See  Appendix  XXV. 


232  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1779 

through  them;  he  chose  the  latter,  and  forced  his 
way,  when  he  found  a  body  of  infantry  still  behind 
the  horse;  these  he  also  charged,  and  on  his  passing 
them,  his  horse  was  wounded  and  threw  him,  when 
he  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  Two  of  the  Lieu 
tenant's  party,  which  consisted  of  24,  were  killed, 
and  one  taken  prisoner;  the  rest  escaped  safe  to 
their  regiments. 

Congress  about  this  time  appointed  the  Hon.  John 
Adams,  a  Plenipotentiary,  extra,  to  repair  to  France, 
to  negotiate  for  a  peace  with  Great  Britain,  when  an 
opportunity  occurred.  The  British  fortified  Gov 
ernor's  Island,  in  the  harbour  of  New  York,  and 
appeared  under  great  apprehensions  of  a  visit  from 
the  French  fleet  under  the  Count  D'Estaing.  The 
troops  and  shipping  at  Rhode  Island  were  ordered  to 
New  York. 

7th. — One  deserter  from  Verplanck's  Point.  There 
was  a  cannonade  between  our  infantry  at  Grassy 
Point  and  one  of  the  enemy's  guard-ships,  when  the 
latter  was  driven  from  her  moorings. 

8th. — The  light-infantry  of  Glover's  brigade 
crossed  the  Hudson  to  join  Gen.  Wayne.  The 
British  had  a  number  of  ships  ready  to  sink  in  the 
channel,  in  case  a  French  fleet  arrived,  and  attempted 
to  enter  the  harbour  of  New  York.  The  merchants 
in  the  city  packing  up  their  goods. 

Qth. — A  fleet  of  transports  passed  the  Sound 
towards  Rhode  Island. 

The  General  Officers  of  the  American  army  re 
solved  to  address  Congress,  respecting  themselves  and 
the  army. 

nth. — There  was  a  cannonade  in  the  river  be 
tween  the  American  and  British  gun-boats;  but  no 
damage  was  done. 

Sir  Joseph   Yorke,   the    British    Minister   at   the 


OCT.  i779]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  233 

Hague,  addressed  their  High  Mightinesses  on  the 
22d  of  the  preceding  July,  in  such  language  as 
evinced  the  feelings  of  the  British  nation.  One  de 
serter  from  Verplanck's  Point. 

1 2th. — Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Col.  Robinson 
came  up  to  Verplanck's  Point,  in  the  ship  Fanny,  and 
returned  the  next  day;  after  which,  the  workmen  at 
the  points  ceased  working.  The  troops  of  the  enemy 
sickly  at  the  points. 

I3th. — Two  deserters  came  in. 

I4th. — Two  prisoners  of  war  were  sent  up,  and 
four  deserters  came  in.  The  British  transports  were 
collected  near  Turtle  Bay,  and  their  ships  of  war 
near  the  Narrows. 

1 5th. — Seven  deserters  came  in  from  Verplanck's 
Point;  they  reported  that  the  enemy  were  putting 
their  baggage,  sick,  the  women,  &c.  on  board  the 
transports. 

i6th. — Fourteen  prisoners,  seamen,  taken  by  Capt. 
Hallet's  company  of  New  York  militia,  two  days  be 
fore,  on  the  North  River,  near  Teller's  Point,  were  sent 
up,  and  one  deserter  came  in.  Just  before  sunset, 
a  galley  and  several  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats  came 
up  the  river  as  high  as  Fort  Montgomery,  and  fired 
a  number  of  shot  at  some  of  our  boats,  and  at  the 
troops  on  the  west  side  of  the  river;  the  Americans 
discharged  some  muskets  from  the  banks  at  the  boats, 
and  the  latter  returned  down  the  river. 

I7th. — One  deserter  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

iQth. — One  deserter  from  Verplanck's  Point. 

2 1  st. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  Verplanck's, 
and  reported  that  the  enemy  were  on  the  point  of 
evacuating  their  works.  The  officer  commanding 
the  advance  picket  soon  after  sent  information  that 
the  works  appeared  to  be  on  fire,  and  the  shipping 
standing  down  the  river.  Maj.  Waldbridge,  who 


234  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i779 

commanded  the  advance  picket,  immediately  sent 
a  detachment  to  take  possession  of  the  works.  Sev 
eral  loaded  shells  left  by  the  enemy,  in  places  where 
the  fire  would  come  at  them,  burst,  but  did  no  harm. 
The  enemy  left  one  horse,  a  few  old  intrenching  tools, 
and  some  other  trifles  at  the  point.  The  transports 
came  to  anchor  off  the  mouth  of  Croton  River;  and 
information  was  received  that  the  British  grenadiers 
were  on  board  transports,  in  the  river  near  Fort 
Washington,  and  the  yth  and  33d  regiments  in  read 
iness  to  embark  at  a  moment's  notice.  Our  Gen 
eral,  lest  there  might  be  an  attempt  made  on  Gen. 
Howe's  division,  ordered  a  detachment  of  500  men, 
and  half  the  Village  picket,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Bradley,  to  march,  and  take  post,  during  the 
night,  towards  the  New  Bridge,  on  Croton  River, 
to  cover  the  right  flank  of  Howe's  division. 

22d. — About  noon,  the  enemy's  transports  came 
to  sail  with  the  ebb,  and  beat  down  against  the  wind, 
and  were  soon  out  of  sight. 

24th. — Col.  Bradley's  detachment  returned  to 
camp.  The  Colonel  reported  that  he  observed  large 
quantities  of  forage  and  fruit,  in  the  fields  between 
Verplanck's  Point  and  Croton  River.  To  secure  the 
forage,  and  cover  the  communication  by  King's 
Ferry,  Gen.  Washington  ordered  our  General  to 
move  down  and  encamp  at  Peekskill. 

27th. — The  Connecticut  line  moved  down  and  en 
camped  on  the  high  ground  to  the  southward  of 
Peekskill,  and  Maj.  Gen.  Howe's  division  was  or 
dered  up  to  form  a  junction.  The  day  before,  the 
enemy  landed  a  body  of  troops,  said  to  be  some  thou 
sands  strong,  at  Amboy,  and  advanced  towards 
Brunswick.  The  light-infantry,  and  the  Virginia 
line,  were  ordered  to  move  down  that  way. 

A  man,  who  said  he  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Brit- 


NOV.  i779]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  235 

ish  service,  and  who  produced  a  commission,  came 
out,  pretending  that  he  had  been  ill-treated,  &c. 

The  State  of  Massachusetts  appeared  to  be  deter 
mined  to  fill  up  their  regiments,  and  offered  300 
dollars  bounty  to  those  who  would  enlist,  in  addition 
to  the  Continental  bounty,  which  was  200  dollars, 
making  the  whole  bounty  500  dollars.  This  morn 
ing  about  70  sail  of  vessels,  many  of  them  large  ships, 
passed  down  the  Sound,  having  the  garrison  of  Rhode 
Island  on  board. 

When  the  enemy  landed  yesterday  at  South  Am- 
boy,  96  horse  about  the  same  time  landed  at  Perth 
Amboy,  and  proceeded  rapidly  to  Middlebrook — 
burnt  Raritan  meeting-house,  Somerset  court-house, 
and  six  boats,  and  returned  through  Spotswood  to 
South  Amboy.  This  party,  on  its  retreat,  was  met 
by  13  of  the  militia,  who  fired  upon  them,  killed  one 
man  and  four  horses,  and  took  the  commanding 
officer,  Lieut.  Simcoe,  and  one  trooper,  prisoners. 
By  the  capture  of  Simcoe,  the  inhabitants  were  freed 
of  a  very  enterprising  and  troublesome  officer.  The 
destruction  of  the  boats  was  the  object  of  this 
enterprise. 

2Qth. — Gen.  Howe's  division  formed  a  junction 
with  the  Connecticut  line,  and  encamped  with  them. 
Strong  fatigue  parties  were  daily  employed  on  the 
works  evacuated  by  the  enemy  at  Verplanck's  and 
Stony  Points.  Gen.  Lincoln  and  the  Count  D'Es- 
taing,  by  the  last  accounts  from  Georgia,  had  formed 
a  junction,  and  were  determined  to  attack  the  enemy. 

3 1 st. — Maj.  Bunschoten  arrived  at  camp,  with  a 
detachment  of  Lieut.  Col.  Paulding's  New  York 
levies;  they  were  ordered  to  garrison  Stony  Point. 

November  1st. — Maj.  Armstrong,  aide-de-camp  to 
Maj.  Gen.  Gates,  called  at  camp,  on  his  way  to  Con 
gress,  with  official  dispatches  of  the  evacuation  of 


236  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [NOV.  i779 

Rhode  Island,  which  took  place  on  the  night  of  the 
26th  ult.  The  British  left  large  quantities  of  forage, 
fuel,  &c.  Brigadier-General  Stark  had  gone  on  to 
Rhode  Island.  A  Hessian  Lieutenant  belonging  to 
the  Landgrave  regiment,  came  out  from  the  neigh 
bourhood  of  Fort  Washington;  he  pretended  a  desire 
to  enter  the  American  service  as  a  volunteer.  A 
prisoner  of  war  was  also  sent  up  from  the  advanced 
guard. 

2d. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  a  body  of  In 
dians  were  advancing  towards  Fort  Schuyler. 

7th. — Two  German  Yagers,  with  their  rifles, 
came  to  our  camp.  At  night,  Col.  Armand  pro 
ceeded  with  his  corps  from  near  Tarrytown  to  the 
vicinity  of  Morrisania,  to  the  house  of  Alderman 
Leggett,  where  he  surprised  and  took  Maj.  Bearmore 
and  five  others  prisoners.  The  secrecy,  precaution, 
gallantry  and  discipline  exhibited  by  the  Colonel  and 
his  corps  on  this  occasion  did  them  much  honour. 
In  the  capture  of  Maj.  Bearmore,  the  inhabitants  of 
the  adjacent  country  were  relieved  from  the  frequent 
excursions  of  a  troublesome  officer.  The  British 
augmented  their  troops  on  Staten  Island. 

nth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  Col.  Wurmb's 
Yagers. 

1 3th. — Five  prisoners  taken  by  Lieut.  Oakley,  near 
Morrisania,  were  sent  to  camp.  The  enemy  had  a 
redoubt,  called  No.  8,  on  the  east  side  of  Harlem 
Creek,  nearly  opposite  to  the  fort  on  Laurel  Hill,  and 
under  the  fire  of  its  cannon,  for  the  security  of  their 
advanced  troops  on  the  Morrisania  side. 

1 6th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  on  the  23d 
of  September,  Gen.  Lincoln  and  the  Count  D'Es- 
taing  broke  ground  before  the  enemy's  works,  at 
Savannah  in  Georgia;  and  on  the  5th  of  October, 
batteries  of  33  cannon  and  nine  mortars,  were  opened 


NOV.  1779]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  237 

and  continued  firing  with  intervals  until  the  8th, 
without  the  wished-for  effect. 

Qth. — In  the  morning  an  assault  was  made,  which 
proved  unsuccessful — the  Americans  were  repulsed 
and  obliged  to  retreat;  of  the  Americans,  170  were 
killed  and  wounded;  among  the  former,  Count  Pu- 
laski,  a  remarkably  brave  and  enterprising  officer  of 
Polish  descent.  The  Count  D'Estaing  was  wounded 
in  the  arm  and  leg.  It  was  said  that  of  the  French 
troops,  330  were  killed  and  wounded.  Gen.  Lin 
coln  retreated  to  Charleston.  It  being  rendered 
certain  that  the  Count  D'Estaing  would  not  come  to 
the  northward,  the  American  main  army  was  dis 
tributed  to  winter-quarters, — Moylan's,  Sheldon's, 
Baylor's,  and  Bedkins's  dragoons  to  Connecticut — 
Poor's  brigade  to  Danbury — The  Massachusetts  line 
to  West  Point,  and  the  posts  in  the  Highlands — The 
Virginia,  Maryland,  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New 
York,  and  Connecticut  lines,  Hand's  and  Stark's 
mixed  corps,  back  of  the  Scotch  Plains,  New  Jersey 
— Lee's  corps,  and  a  detachment  of  infantry,  towards 
Monmouth — Marechausee,  with  the  main  army.* 

I  Qth. — Four  prisoners  were  sent  up. 

23d. — Maj.  Gen.  Gates  and  his  family  came  to 
camp  from  Rhode  Island. 

25th. — The  troops  were  moving  to  their  different 
places  of  cantonment;  many  of  the  soldiers,  (as  fine 
men  as  ever  stood  in  shoes)  were  marched  barefooted 
over  the  hard  frozen  ground,  and  with  an  astonish 
ing  patience.  Remember  these  things,  ye  Americans, 
in  future  times! 

28th. — The  Commander  in  Chief  gave  our  Gen 
eral  the  command  of  all  the  posts  and  troops  on 
Hudson's  River,  which  Gen.  Washington  very  fre 
quently  called  the  key  that  locked  the  communication 

*  See  Appendix  XXVI. 


238  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  i779 

between  the  eastern  and  southern  States;  and  of  all 
the  posts  in  the  United  States,  was  the  most  impor 
tant.  This  was  the  second  time  that  our  General 
was  designated  to  command  them. 

2Qth. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  the  galley  in 
the  river. 

30th. — Early  in  the  morning,  Gen.  Washington 
crossed  the  Hudson  at  King's  Ferry,  into  the  Jerseys. 
Maj.  Gen.  Gates  was  to  proceed  to  Virginia — a  ser 
geant,  corporal,  and  three  privates,  were  carried  off 
by  one  Joseph  M'Keel,  a  sly,  artful  fellow,  in  the 
service  of  the  enemy,  and  who  conducted  many  re 
cruits  from  the  country  to  them. 

December  2d. — Col.  Armand,  with  some  of  his 
corps,  went  down  to  Morrisania,  and  took  a  Capt. 
Cruzer,  of  Bearmore's  corps,  and  two  men,  prisoners. 
At  this  time  the  troops  were  greatly  distressed  for 
bread,  and  the  horses  for  forage;  the  former  occa 
sioned  by  the  want  of  water  at  the  mills.  All  the 
horses,  except  such  as  were  absolutely  necessary  for 
incumbent  duties,  were  ordered  out  into  the  country. 
A  man,  who  pretended  to  be  a  prophet,  came  out 
from  the  enemy — he  more  probably  was  a  spy. 

i6th. — Col.  Paulding's  corps  was  ordered  from 
Stony  Point  to  Poughkeepsie,  a  great  desertion  hav 
ing  taken  place  in  the  corps.  The  Virginia  line  had 
marched  to  the  southward — the  enemy  at  New  York, 
preparing  for  the  embarkation  of  a  large  body  of 
troops,  said  to  be  upwards  of  10,000  under  the  im 
mediate  command  of  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 

2Qth. — Three  Hessian  deserters  came  into  our 
army;  they  reported  that  Gen.  Matthews  had  the 
command  of  all  the  posts  and  troops  on  the  north 
end  of  York  Island,  above  the  bridge,  &c.  The 
long-talked-of  embarkation  of  troops  at  New  York, 
sailed  on  the  26th.  The  fleet  was  said  to  consist  of 


jAN.i78o]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  239 

near  200  sail.  The  enemy  boasted  that  it  was  con 
voyed  by  nearly  20  ships  of  war;  however,  it  was 
well  known  that  they  had  very  few  ships  of  the  line, 
and  that  they  were  under  great  apprehensions  of 
falling  in  with  a  superior  French  force.  They  went 
to  the  southward. 

3<Dth. — Lieut.  Col.  Newhall,  with  250  men  properly 
officered,  marched  to  do  duty  on  the  lines. 

3 1  st. — There  was  a  great  body  of  snow  on  the 
ground. 

1780.  'January  1st. — Early  in  the  morning  about 
100  soldiers  belonging  to  the  Massachusetts  regi 
ments,  who  had  enlisted,  at  different  periods  subse 
quent  to  January,  1777,  for  three  years,  pretending 
that  their  time  of  service  now  expired,  (although 
many  of  them  had  months  to  serve,  before  their  three 
years  service  was  completed)  marched  off  with  intent 
to  go  home:  they  were  pursued  and  brought  back: 
some  of  them  were  punished;  the  greater  part  of  them 
pardoned.  Some  others,  at  other  posts,  conducted 
in  the  same  manner,  and  were  treated  as  the  first 
mentioned.  Those  whose  time  of  service  was  ex 
pired  were  all  discharged  with  honour. 

3d. — The  snow  had  got  to  be  about  four  feet  deep 
on  a  level,  and  the  troops  were  driven  to  great  diffi 
culties  in  keeping  open  the  communication  to  the 
posts — obtaining  provisions,  fuel,  forage,  &c.  and  so 
intense  and  steady  was  the  weather,  that  for  more 
than  twenty  days  there  could  not  be  discovered  the 
least  sign  of  the  remission  of  the  snow  in  any  places 
the  most  open  to  the  influences  of  the  sun.  The 
Hudson  soon  becoming  passable  on  the  ice,  the  troops 
were  comfortably  supplied  with  provisions;  but  many 
were  in  extreme  want  of  clothing. 

8th. — The  light-infantry  belonging  to  the  regi 
ments  in  the  Highlands,  were  joining  their  respective 


24o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [JAN.  1780 

corps,  the  corps  of  light-infantry  being  separated  for 
the  winter. 

9th. — About  dusk,  the  north  redoubt  was  discov 
ered  to  be  on  fire  at  the  southwest  corner,  under  the 
rampart,  which  was  of  timber;  the  fire  was  out  of 
reach,  and  threatened  the  destruction  of  the  whole 
redoubt.  A  detachment  from  West  Point  was  or 
dered  over  to  the  assistance  of  the  garrison  of  the  re 
doubt;  but  so  strongly  dovetailed  and  strapped  were 
the  timbers  of  the  rampart,  that  the  fire  for  a  time 
seemed  to  baffle  every  exertion  to  extinguish  it.  The 
ammunition,  and  about  100  barrels  of  salted  pro 
visions  in  the  magazine,  were  seasonably  removed 
by  the  garrison;  but  the  fire  was  not  extinguished 
until  about  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  loth. 
All  the  officers  and  men  distinguished  themselves  on 
this  occasion;  but  the  conduct  of  Col.  Lyman,  Col. 
Sprout,  and  Capt.  Drew,  was  conspicuous  indeed, 
as  was  that  of  a  sergeant  of  the  garrison  of  the  re 
doubt,  who,  when  all  were  on  the  point  of  quitting 
the  redoubt,  lest  the  magazine  should  take  fire  and 
blow  up,  instantly  rushed  into  the  magazine,  and  did 
not  quit  it  until  he  had  thrown  out  every  cask  of 
powder,  and  box  of  ammunition  deposited  in  it.  If 
his  name  could  be  recollected,  it  should  be  inserted. 

1 2th. — Artificers  and  fatigue-men  were  ordered  to 
repair  the  redoubt.  The  weather  continued  in 
tensely  cold.  A  man  belonging  to  the  garrison  of 
West  Point  was  frozen  to  death  on  his  return  from 
New  Windsor  to  the  point;  and  many  soldiers  were 
frost-bitten.  Maj.  Gen.  Putnam,  who  had  gone 
home  on  furlough  about  this  time,  received  a  para 
lytic  stroke  at  Hartford  in  Connecticut,  as  he  was 
on  his  return  to  the  army. 

1 7th. — The  Hudson  was  so  frozen,  that  travellers 
safely  crossed  the  river  on  the  ice  at  King's  Ferry.  A 


JAN.  1780]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  241 

Hessian  deserter  came  in.  Two  days  before,  viz.  on 
the  I5th,  Maj.  Gen.  Lord  Sterling  made  a  descent 
on  Staten  Island,  with  a  detachment,  consisting  of 
about  2,500  infantry,  and  some  artillery;  a  number 
of  tents,  arms,  and  some  baggage,  belonging  to  Col. 
Buskirk's  regiment,  was  taken  and  brought  off,  with 
some  liquors,  &c.  Some  of  the  American  soldiers 
deserted  to  the  enemy,  and  17  were  taken  prisoners. 

iQth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy, 
and  reported  the  strength  of  the  British  at  Fort 
Washington.  The  people  crossed  from  New  York 
to  Long  Island  on  the  ice.  About  this  time,  a  de 
tachment  from  Col.  Mead's  regiment  of  levies  at 
Horseneck,  and  a  number  of  volunteers  from  Green 
wich,  the  former  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Keeler,  the  latter  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Lockwood,  the  whole  about  80,  marched  to  Morris- 
ania;  and  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  made 
an  attack  on  Col.  Hatfield.  They  first  attacked  the 
picket,  killed  3,  and  drove  the  rest  into  the  Colonel's 
quarters.  The  Colonel  and  his  men  took  to  the 
chambers,  and  fired  out  at  the  windows,  and  down 
stairs  at  those  who  had  entered  the  house;  it  appear 
ing  difficult,  if  possible,  to  dislodge  them,  the  house 
was  instantly  set  on  fire,  by  putting  a  straw  bed  into 
a  closet,  which  compelled  the  enemy  to  jump  out  at 
the  chamber  windows,  to  avoid  the  flames.  Colonel 
Hatfield,  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  one  Quarter- 
Master,  and  1 1  privates,  were  taken  prisoners  and 
brought  off".  This  was  a  pretty  affair,  but  was  a 
little  tarnished  on  the  return  by  some  of  the  militia, 
who  were  fatigued,  loitering  on  the  road  where  they 
supposed  there  was  no  danger;  but  a  party  of  horse 
pursuing,  overtook,  killed  and  captured  several  of 
them. 

26th. — Between  u  and  12  o'clock  at  night,  a  fire 


242  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [FEB.  1780 

broke  out  in  the  Quarter-Master's  barrack  at  West 
Point,  which  threatened  the  most  serious  and  ex 
tensive  damage.  It  had  got  to  considerable  height 
before  it  was  discovered;  the  barrack  was  conse 
quently  consumed  to  ashes,  notwithstanding  every 
exertion  of  the  garrison,  which  was  numerous. 
Brig.  Gen.  Patterson,  who  commanded  the  garrison, 
not  only  distinguished  himself,  but  also  exposed  his 
person  to  the  flames  to  save  another  building,  which 
was  fortunately  effected.  The  loss  by  the  fire  was 
considerable,  both  to  the  public  and  to  individuals. 
The  night  before,  viz.  the  25th,  a  detachment  of  the 
enemy,  said  to  consist  of  500  men,  made  an  excur 
sion  from  Staten  Island,  over  the  ice,  to  Elizabeth- 
town,  in  the  Jerseys,  and  completely  surprised  the 
picket  posted  there,  consisting  of  a  Major  and  100 
men,  properly  officered;  it  was  said  that  not  a  gun 
was  fired,  nor  a  man  hurt.  The  enemy  surrounded 
the  houses,  and  took  the  troops  asleep.  He  who 
suffers  himself  to  be  surprised,  through  the  want  of 
proper  precaution,  his  character  (says  a  great  mili 
tary  writer)  is  irretrievable. 

February  1st. — At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the 
north  redoubt  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire  again  in 
the  top  of  the  bomb-proof,  between  the  sally-port 
and  the  door.  Every  exertion  was  made  by  the  gar 
rison  of  the  redoubt,  and  detachments  sent  to  their 
aid,  to  put  out  the  fire,  but  it  was  so  much  out  of 
reach,  and  spread  among  the  joints  of  the  large  tim 
bers,  that  it  was  not  extinguished  until  about  two 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  3d.  The  redoubt 
received  considerable  damage,  and  would  have  been 
totally  destroyed,  had  it  not  been  for  the  unwearied 
exertions  of  the  troops,  day  and  night,  during  the 
whole  of  the  time;  and  much  credit  was  due  to  Lieut. 
Col.  Vose,  and  the  other  officers  who  commanded. 


FEB.i78o.]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  243 

By  a  more  accurate  account  of  the  loss  at  the  Quar 
ter-Master's  barrack  at  West  Point,  it  appeared  that 
6  marques,  26  horseman's  tents,  80  common  tents, 
900  knapsacks,  250  narrow  axes,  and  a  number  of 
other  articles  were  burnt  and  destroyed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d,  about  9  o'clock,  the 
enemy  made  an  attack  on  Lieut.  Col.  Thomson,  who 
commanded  the  troops  on  the  lines;  the  Colonel's 
force  consisted  of  250  men,  in  five  companies,  prop 
erly  ofiicered;  they  were  instructed  to  move  be 
tween  Croton  River  and  the  White  Plains,  Hudson's 
River  and  Bedford;  never  to  remain  long  at  any  one 
place,  that  the  enemy  might  not  be  able  to  learn 
their  manner  of  doing  duty,  or  form  a  plan  for  strik 
ing  them  in  any  particular  situation.  The  Colonel 
had  for  some  days  taken  post  himself  at  Young's, 
not  far  from  the  White  Plains.  Capt.  Watson,  with 
his  company,  was  with  the  Lieut.  Colonel;  Capt. 
Roberts  and  Capt.  Stoddard,  with  their  companies, 
were  on  the  right;  Capt.  Lieut.  Farley  and  Capt. 
Cooper  on  the  left.  The  force  of  the  enemy  con 
sisted  of  the  four  flank  companies  of  the  first  and 
second  British  regiments  of  guards — detachments 
from  two  Hessian  battalions — some  mounted  yagers, 
and  mounted  refugees.  The  whole  under  the  com 
mand  of  Col.  Norton,  of  the  guards.  The  roads  were 
so  filled  with  snow  that  the  enemy  advanced  but 
slowly,  and  were  obliged  to  leave  their  field-pieces 
behind  on  the  road.  They  were  discovered  at  a 
distance  by  Mr.  Campbell,  one  of  our  guides,  who, 
from  the  goodness  of  his  horse,  reconnoitred  them 
pretty  near.  He  gave  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  notice 
of  their  advancing,  and  that  their  force  was  consid 
erable,  and  advised  him  to  take  a  stronger  position  a 
little  in  his  rear.  But  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  was 
very  confident  that  the  enemy  were  only  a  body  of 


244  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [FEB.  1780 

horse,  and  that  he  could  easily  disperse  them,  and 
would  not  quit  his  ground.  The  enemy  first  at 
tacked  a  small  advance-guard,  consisting  of  a  ser 
geant  and  8  men,  who  behaved  well,  and  meant  to 
reach  the  main  body  in  season;  but  were  prevented 
by  the  horse,  and  all  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy's 
horse  soon  appeared  in  sight  of  the  Americans,  and 
discharged  their  rifles  at  long  shot,  and  waited  the 
coming  up  of  the  infantry,  when  a  warm  action  com 
menced;  the  enemy  scattered,  taking  the  advantage 
of  the  ground  and  trees  in  the  orchard,  and  closing 
up  on  all  sides.  The  3  companies  of  the  detachment, 
which  had  joined,  fought  well.  After  about  15  min 
utes'  sharp  conflict,  our  troops  broke;  some  took  into 
the  house,  and  others  made  off;  the  enemy's  horse 
rushing  on  at  the  same  instant,  and  the  whole  shout 
ing.  At  this  time,  the  two  flank  companies  came  up, 
but  finding  how  matters  stood,  judged  it  best  to  re 
treat,  Capt.  Stodder's  company  giving  a  fire  or 
two  at  long  shot,  Capt.  Cooper's,  from  their  distance, 
not  firing  at  all.  Some  who  were  engaged  effected 
their  escape,  others  were  overtaken  by  the  horse. 
The  enemy  collected  what  prisoners  they  could,  set 
Mr.  Young's  house  and  buildings  on  fire,  and  re 
turned.  Of  the  Americans,  13  were  killed  dead  on 
the  spot,  and  Capt.  Roberts,  who  was  mortally 
wounded,  lived  but  a  few  minutes.  Seventeen  others 
were  wounded,  several  of  whom  died.  Lieut.  Col. 
Thomson  of  Marshall's,  Capt.  Watson  of  Greaton's, 
Capt.  Lieut.  Farley  of  Wesson's,  Lieut.  Burley  of 
Tupper's,  Lieut.  Maynard  of  Greaton's,  Ensign  Fow 
ler  of  Nixon's,  Ensign  Bradley  of  Bigelow's,  with  89 
others,  were  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy  left  3  men 
dead  on  the  field,  and  a  Captain  of  grenadiers  was 
wounded  in  the  hip,  and  a  Lieutenant  of  infantry  in 
the  thigh.  The  British,  in  their  account  of  the  ac- 


FEB.i78o]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  245 

tion,  acknowledged  that  they  had  5  men  killed,  and 
18  wounded.  Lieut.  Col.  Badlam,  with  the  relief 
for  the  lines,  was  at  the  time  of  the  action  far  ad 
vanced  on  his  march,  but  not  within  reach  of  those 
engaged. 

One  Mayhew,  a  peddler,  well  known  in  Massachu 
setts,  was  of  this  detachment;  he  made  off  up  the 
road,  but  finding  the  horse  rushing  on,  he  struck  off 
into  the  snow,  almost  up  to  his  hips.  Two  of  the 
enemy's  horse  turned  into  his  track  after  him;  and, 
gaining  fast  upon  him,  he  asked  them  if  they  would 
give  him  quarter;  they  replied,  "Yes,  you  dog,  we 
will  quarter  you."  This  was  twice  repeated,  when 
Mayhew,  finding  them  inflexible,  determined  to  give 
them  one  shot  before  he  was  quartered;  and,  turning 
round,  discharged  his  piece  at  the  first  horseman, 
who  cried  out,  "The  rascal  has  broke  my  leg;"  when 
both  of  them  turned  their  horses  round  and  went  off, 
leaving  Mayhew  at  liberty  to  tread  back  his  path  to 
the  road,  and  come  off. 

yth. — A  body  of  the  enemy's  horse,  said  to  be 
about  300,  and  the  7th  British  regiment,  came  over 
from  Long  Island  to  West  Chester  on  the  ice.  The 
troops  in  New  York,  about  this  time,  drew  four 
days'  provisions,  which  they  were  directed  to  keep 
cooked,  and  the  troops  to  be  in  readiness  to  move  on 
the  shortest  notice,  with  arms  and  blankets  only. 
A  number  of  sleighs  were  collected,  and  some  heavy 
cannon  were  drawn  out;  whether  an  attempt  on 
Morristown  or  the  Highlands  was  the  object,  was 
not  known.  Several  deserters  came  in  from  the 
enemy,  and  in  this  month  there  were  some  desertions 
from  the  American  southern  regiments  to  the  enemy. 
The  enemy  also  made  an  excursion  in  the  Jerseys, 
as  far  as  Elizabeth  town,  and  carried  off  a  great 
quantity  of  plunder. 


246  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  1780 


.  —  Some  small  parties  of  the  enemy  were  out 
towards  the  White  Plains. 

Our  General  having  obtained  leave,  from  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  to  make  a  visit  to  his  friends 
in  New  England,  commenced  his  journey  eastward, 
on  the  2ist  of  February,  and  reached  his  house  in 
Roxbury  on  the  29th.  It  appeared  that  the  winter 
had  been  as  severe,  and  the  snow  as  deep,  in  the 
New  England  States,  as  in  the  Highlands  of  New 
York. 

March  8th.  —  Our  General  addressed  the  Hon. 
Council  of  Massachusetts  on  the  importance  of  the 
then  moment  for  recruiting  their  battalions. 

By  the  master  of  a  flag  from  Bermuda,  information 
was  received,  that  the  fleet,  in  passing  from  New 
York  to  the  southward,  the  preceding  December, 
suffered  considerably;  and  that  an  ordnance  ship  was 
lost. 

9th.  —  A  privateer  ship,  of  18  guns,  prize  to  the 
Tartar  privateer,  was  sent  into  Boston. 

I3th.  —  The  Committee  of  the  General  Court  of 
Massachusetts  were  issuing  notes  for  the  deprecia 
tion  of  the  pay  of  the  troops  of  their  line:  these  were 
sold  at  a  very  great  discount. 

2Oth.  —  A  rich  Jamaica  ship,  prize  to  the  Conti 
nental  frigate  Dean,  arrived  safe  in  Boston  harbour. 
The  same  day,  there  was  a  report  that  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  had  arrived  at  South  Carolina,  with  the 
British  troops,  which  sailed  from  New  York  in 
December. 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  passed  a  resolu 
tion,  granting  a  premium  of  £30  per  man  for  each 
recruit  that  should  be  enlisted  and  pass  muster  for 
their  line. 

27th.  —  A  Marblehead  privateer,  the  Aurora,  sent 
in  a  prize  ship,  with  1600  barrels  of  flour  —  1400  do. 


APRIL,  1780]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  247 

of  beef  and  pork;  and  dry  goods  to  the  amount  of 
£700  sterling. 

April  1st. — News  was  received  of  a  most  obstinate 
engagement  in  Europe,  between  the  French  frigate, 
Sueveillant,  Capt.  Conedic,  of  36  guns,  and  the 
British  frigate,  Quebec,  Capt.  Farmer,  of  the  same 
force.  The  French  frigate  had  32  men  killed,  and 
92  wounded.  The  Quebec  blew  up,  and  her  whole 
crew,  300,  except  40,  were  lost,  either  in  action  or  in 
the  explosion.  This  engagement  did  honour  to  the 
bravery  of  both  nations. 

The  depreciation  of  the  Continental  money  rapidly 
increased;  many  people  withheld  their  merchandise 
and  produce  from  sale,  and  the  times  were  truly  em 
barrassing.  An  embarkation  of  some  thousands  of 
Hessian  troops  took  place  at  New  York  for  Carolina. 
In  the  course  of  this  month,  the  Maryland  line  of 
the  army,  and  three  companies  of  artillery,  marched 
to  the  southward. 

26th. — News  was  received  that  the  British  had  got 
their  shipping  over  the  bar,  at  Charleston;  that  the 
Continental  frigates,  in  the  harbour,  were  hauled  up, 
and  their  guns  taken  out  and  mounted  on  batteries: 
the  garrison  of  Charleston  numerous. 

27th. — The  privateers  Franklin  and  Jack  sent  into 
Salem  a  large  letter-of-marque  ship,  having  on  board 
1,000  barrels  of  pork  and  beef,  750  barrels  of  flour, 
800  firkins  of  butter,  and  dry  goods  to  the  amount  of 
£15,000;  she  was  from  London,  bound  to  New  York. 

During  this  month,  the  enemy  made  two  excur 
sions  to  Paramus,  where  they  killed  and  took  a  num 
ber  of  Americans;  Maj.  Byles,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
line,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  died  the  next  day. 
The  enemy  burnt  Mr.  G.  Hoper's  houses  and  mills; 
the  militia  turned  out  spiritedly,  repulsed  and  pursued 
the  enemy.  By  accounts  from  Europe,  the  American 


248  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  i780 

cause  was  viewed  in  a  very  favourable  light  by  the 
Courts  in  that  part  of  the  world. 

28th. — The  French  frigate  Hermione,  Capt.  La- 
touch,  arrived  at  Boston;  in  whom  came  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette,  and  suite,  from  France.  The  inhab 
itants  of  Boston  exhibited  the  greatest  demonstra 
tions  of  joy,  on  the  occasion.  The  next  morning  the 
Marquis,  Capt.  Latouch,  and  other  officers,  made  a 
visit  to  our  General:  the  Marquis,  the  day  before, 
on  his  landing  at  Hancock's  Wharf,  was  received  by 
a  number  of  Continental  officers,  and  escorted  to  his 
lodgings;  after  which,  he  paid  his  respects  to  the 
Honourable  Legislature,  who  were  then  in  session; 
in  the  evening  there  were  rejoicings. 

May  2d. — The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  set  out  from 
Boston,  for  the  army. 

During  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  Massachu 
setts,  they  received  an  order  from  Congress,  in  favour 
of  the  State,  for  2,000,000  dollars,  to  reimburse  the 
State  in  part  of  the  expense  of  the  Penobscot  expe 
dition,  which  had  greatly  involved  the  State.  The 
enemy  having  taken  post  at  Penobscot,  the  Legisla 
ture  of  Massachusetts,  without  applying  to  Congress, 
determined  to  dislodge  them;  and,  for  this  purpose, 
ordered  a  body  of  militia  to  be  detached,  under  the 
command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Lovell;  and,  in  addition  to 
their  own  State  vessels,  procured  a  number  of  pri 
vateers,  belonging  to  individuals.  The  expedition 
was  attempted;  the  shipping  arrived  safe  in  Penob 
scot  Bay;  the  troops,  or  a  part  of  them,  were  de 
barked  to  attack  the  enemy,  but  they  did  not  succeed 
in  their  attempt.  The  armed  vessels,  instead  of 
cruising  off  the  harbour,  where  they  could  have  had 
sea  room,  remained  in  the  bay.  The  enemy  sent  a 
naval  force  to  the  relief  of  the  post,  which  arrived, 
and  found  the  American  shipping  in  the  river,  who 


MAY,  1779]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  249 

immediately  ran  up  as  far  as  they  could,  where  the 
whole  were  destroyed,  and  the  militia  and  seamen 
left  to  find  their  way  home  through  the  woods.  This 
was  an  unfortunate  affair  to  Massachusetts,  whose 
privateers,  before,  were  numerous,  able  and  active, 
and  greatly  annoyed  the  enemy;  and,  had  it  not  been 
for  this  blow,  would  have  been  of  great  public  benefit, 
by  depriving  the  enemy  of  many  of  their  provision 
vessels,  and  of  increasing  provisions  in  our  own  coun 
try.  Congress,  at  first,  seemed  to  decline  bearing 
the  expense,  as  they  had  never  been  consulted  re 
specting  the  expedition;  but  they  finally  consented 
to  a  reimbursement. 

Congress  ordered,  that  800  men,  in  the  pay  of  the 
United  States,  should  cover  and  protect  the  Eastern 
Country  the  ensuing  summer. 

1 2th. — The  gentlemen  of  Boston  gave  a  ball  to 
the  French  and  American  officers. 

I4th. — The  Hermione  frigate,  Capt.  Latouch, 
sailed  from  Boston  harbour,  on  a  cruise. 

A  number  of  very  valuable  prizes,  taken  by  the 
American  cruisers,  were  sent  into  different  ports. 

The  iQth  exhibited  a  most  extraordinary  phenom 
enon.  The  wind,  in  the  morning,  was  southerly,  a 
moderate  breeze;  the  sun  shone  a  little  after  it  was 
up,  but  was  soon  clouded:  there  was  some  thunder 
and  moderate  showers.  A  little  after  10  o'clock,  the 
clouds  exhibited  a  yellowish  cast,  and  every  object 
seemed  to  present  a  brassy  hue;  it  soon  after  began 
to  grow  dark,  which  gradually  increased;  between 
eleven  and  twelve,  it  became  necessary  to  light  can 
dles,  to  do  household  business.  The  darkness  in 
creased  until  near  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  inhabitants 
dining  by  candle-light.  About  one,  the  darkness 
began  to  decrease,  and  went  off  gradually,  as  it  came 
on;  between  three  and  four  P.  M.  the  usual  light 


250  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  1780 

was  restored.  The  evening,  although  the  moon  was 
at  the  full,  was  remarkably  dark,  and  there  was  a 
sprinkling  of  rain — the  people  were  in  great  conster 
nation.  This  phenomenon,  in  the  opinion  of  our 
General,  although  he  has  no  pretensions  to  astron 
omy,  was  produced  by  opposite  winds  forcing  to 
gether  a  vast  body  of  smoke  and  vapours,  (the  air 
had  been  smoky  for  some  days  before)  which,  from 
the  light  state  of  the  atmosphere,  as  they  accumu 
lated,  ascended,  forming,  from  top  to  bottom,  such  a 
body,  as  to  cause  the  darkness;  and  yet,  so  open 
were  the  particles,  as  to  admit  the  sun's  rays  so  far, 
as  to  cause  the  brassy  appearance:  had  the  atmos 
phere  been  heavy,  the  vapours  would  probably  have 
condensed,  and  rain,  in  torrents,  would  have  ensued. 
Some  observations  made  by  our  General,  some  years 
since  the  foregoing,  on  the  darkness  in  Canada,  and 
which,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  preceding  day,  he 
noticed  at  Roxbury,  and  remarked  thereon,  afford 
strong  collateral  evidence  that  the  foregoing  opinion 
was  not  wholly  unfounded. 

As  the  learned  and  curious  wish  to  ascertain,  as  far 
as  possible,  the  true  cause  of  the  phenomenon,  we 
throw  in  those  rough  materials,  which  our  observa 
tion  at  the  time  collected,  that  they  may  be  shaped 
by  those  of  greater  skill,  for  the  information  and  sat 
isfaction  of  an  enlightened  public.  Those  called  the 
dark  days  in  Canada,  were  the  Qth,  I5th  and  i6th 
of  October,  1785;  but  the  greatest  degree  of  dark 
ness  was  on  Sunday,  the  i6th,  when  the  darkness 
was  so  great  as  to  render  the  use  of  candles  necessary 
in  the  churches  and  families:  it  is  said  to  have  been 
as  dark  as  a  dark  night. 

On  the  Qth,  at  Roxbury,  in  Massachusetts,  the 
wind  was  at  southeast,  and  then  at  southwest;  the 
day  fair,  cool  and  pleasant. 


MAY,i78o]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  251 

The  I5th,  the  prevailing  wind  was  easterly;  the 
day  was  cloudy  and  foggy;  about  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 
it  was  uncommonly  dark,  and  there  was  an  opposite 
wind  from  the  southwest.  There  were  several  hard 
claps  of  thunder  at  a  distance,  and  a  few  drops  of 
rain.  Towards  evening,  the  sun  was  visible,  but 
appeared  very  red,  and  the  clouds  exhibited  a  brassy 
complexion,  so  similar  to  the  dark  day  in  May,  1780, 
as  to  be  noticed  and  compared;  in  the  evening  the 
wind  was  southerly. 

The  i6th,  which  was  the  dark  day  in  Canada,  the 
wind,  there  at  opposite  points,  N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  was 
at  Roxbury  S.  W.  The  day  was  fair,  warm  and 
pleasant;  from  which  it  seems  to  be  obvious  that 
the  body  of  smoke  and  vapour,  with  which  the  at 
mosphere  was  fraught  on  the  I5th,  which  pervaded 
a  region  which  comprehended  Canada  and  a  part 
of  New  England  at  least,  was,  by  the  strength  of  the 
southwest  wind  in  the  night,  forced  northward,  and 
being  still  opposed  by  the  northeast  wind,  pressing 
on  the  other  side,  produced  the  accumulation  of 
smoke  and  vapour  which  occasioned  the  darkness; 
and  if  the  northeast  wind  had  prevailed  against  the 
southwest,  the  darkness  would  probably  have  been 
in  New  England. 

2 1 st. — Capt.  Latouch  returned  from  his  cruise; 
he  ran  into  Penobscot  Bay,  and  cast  anchor,  firing 
several  signal  guns.  Two  British  sloops  of  war, 
which  were  at  anchor,  upon  the  approach  of  the 
Hermione,  came  to  sail,  and  ran  up  the  river.  Capt. 
Latouch  lay  at  anchor  until  he  took  a  plan  of  the 
enemy's  post.  Our  General  intended  to  have  com 
menced  his  journey  for  the  army  on  Monday,  the 
2Qth  of  May;  but  on. the  afternoon  of  the  preceding 
day,  he  received  a  letter  from  Gen.  Washington, 
dated  the  I5th,  in  which  his  Excellency  observed, 


252  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  1780 

"I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  in  strict  confi 
dence,  that  we  have  authentic  advices  of  his  most 
Christian  Majesty's  determination  to  send  a  respect 
able  armament  of  sea  and  land  forces  to  operate  on 
the  continent,  and  that  the  period  is  not  remote  when 
we  may  expect  their  arrival."  The  Commander  in 
Chief  added,  that  the  seizing  of  Halifax  was  an  ob 
ject  with  the  French;  and  our  General  was  instructed 
to  obtain,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  exact  state  of  the 
British  in  that  quarter,  as  to  their  works,  garrison 
and  troops;  all  of  which  was  shortly  after  ascertained. 

29th. — The  Hermione  fell  down,  in  order  to  pro 
ceed  on  a  cruise  to  the  southward.  The  troops  at 
West  Point  at  this  time  were  very  short  of  provisions, 
and  without  rum. 

Congress  and  the  Commander  in  Chief  called  upon 
the  several  States  to  complete  their  battalions  of  the 
army  with  all  possible  dispatch.  The  enemy  at  New 
York  were  under  great  apprehensions  of  a  visit  from 
the  French,  and  were  said  to  have  prepared  a  number 
of  hulks  of  different  sizes  to  sink  in  the  channel. 

June  6th. — News  was  received,  that  a  French  fleet 
had  been  seen  at  sea,  in  latitude  33,  standing  E.  N.  E. 

About  this  time,  Capt.  Latouch  sent  into  Dart 
mouth  a  prize  brig,  having  1700  firkins  of  butter, 
150  boxes  of  candles,  and  150  boxes  of  soap  on  board. 
The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  ordered  a  draft  to 
be  made  from  the  militia,  to  complete  their  Conti 
nental  battalions.  The  drafts  were  to  rendezvous 
at  Springfield. 

9th. — Our  General  received  the  following  letter 
from  the  Commander  in  Chief: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  MORRISTOWN,  June  2,  1780. 

"DEAR  SIR, 
"IT  is  expected  that  the  fleet  of  our  ally  will,  in 


juNE,i78o]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  253 

the  first  instance,  touch  at  Rhode  Island  for  the  pur 
pose  of  landing  their  sick  and  supernumerary  stores, 
and  to  meet  the  intelligence  necessary  to  direct  their 
operations.  I  have  already  sent  forward  Doctor 
Craik,  to  take  up  proper  houses  for  hospitals,  and  to 
make  some  previous  arrangements  in  that  depart 
ment:  but  I  apprehend  the  French  General  and  Ad 
miral,  will,  upon  their  arrival,  want  the  advice  and 
assistance  of  a  person  of  discretion  and  judgment, 
and  acquainted  with  the  country.  I  must  request 
you  to  repair  immediately  to  Providence,  and,  upon 
their  arrival,  present  yourself  to  them,  letting  them 
know  that  they  may  command  your  services. 

"  I  would  wish  you  to  endeavour,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Governor,  to  establish  a  market  between  the 
fleet  and  army  and  country,  and  be  careful  that  our 
allies  are  not  imposed  upon  in  the  prices  of  articles 
which  they  may  find  necessary.  This  is  a  point  rec 
ommended  in  the  plan  drawn  up  by  the  Ministry  of 
France,  and  which  policy  and  generosity  directs 
should  be  strictly  attended  to. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Gen.  HEATH." 

About  this  time,  an  engagement  happened  between 
the  Hermione  and  a  British  man-of-war,  which  lasted 
near  two  glasses;  it  was  a  drawn  battle.  Capt.  La- 
touch,  and  one  of  his  Lieutenants,  were  wounded; 
and  it  was  said  13  men  were  killed  and  39  wounded. 
Several  of  the  wounded  died  soon  after;  among  them, 
an  officer. 

I5th. — At  ii  o'clock,  A.  M.  our  General  set  out 
from  his  house,  in  Roxbury,  for  Providence,  where 
he  arrived  the  next  day,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  Was  met 
at  Pawtucket  Bridge  by  Deputy-Governor  Bowen, 


254  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  1780 

and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen,  who  attended  him 
into  town. 

On  Friday,  the  2d  of  June,  the  Continental  frigate, 
the  Trumbull,  James  Nicholson  commander,  had  an 
engagement  with  a  British  frigate  of  36  guns,  which 
lasted  five  hours.  The  Trumbull  had  all  her  masts 
wounded,  8  men  killed,  and  31  wounded.  The  Brit 
ish  frigate  was  supposed  to  have  suffered  much. 

In  this  month,  a  body  of  the  enemy,  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Knyphausen,  landed  in  the  Jer 
seys,  and  moved  towards  Springfield.  Some  skir 
mishing  ensued;  Col.  Angeli's  regiment  suffered  con 
siderably.  A  number  of  men  were  killed  on  both 
sides.  It  was  now  fully  confirmed  that  the  enemy's 
shipping  passed  Fort  Moultrie,  on  Sullivan's  Island, 
in  South  Carolina,  on  the  Qth  of  April,  with  a  fresh 
breeze,  by  which  means  they  received  but  little  dam 
age:  they  came  to  anchor  between  Fort  Johnson 
and  Charleston,  and  just  out  of  reach  of  the  latter. 
Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  now  advanced  his  ap 
proaches  so  far  as  to  be  erecting  his  batteries.  The 
garrison  made  a  good  defence,  but,  on  the  I2th  of 
May,  were  obliged  to  surrender.  Of  the  Americans, 
I  Colonel,  I  Aide-de-camp,  6  Captains,  3  Lieutenants, 
10  Sergeants,  and  68  rank  and  file,  were  killed; 
I  Major,  2  Captains,  5  Lieutenants,  18  Sergeants, 
and  114  rank  and  file  were  wounded.  Maj.  Gen. 
Lincoln,  with  Brigadiers  Moultrie,  M'Intosh,  Wood- 
ford,  Scott,  DuPortail  and  Hogan,  with  9  Colonels, 
14  Lieut.  Colonels,  15  Majors,  84  Captains  and  Capt. 
Lieutenants,  84  Lieutenants,  32  Second  Lieutenants 
and  Ensigns,  209  non-commissioned  officers,  140 
drums  and  fifes,  and  1977  rank  and  file,  including 
sick  and  wounded,  of  the  Continental  troops,  mak 
ing  in  the  whole,  2564,  were  taken  prisoners.  Be 
sides  the  foregoing,  it  was  said  that  there  were  about 


juNE,I78o]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  255 

500  naval  officers  and  seamen,  250  Charleston  mili 
tia,  and  500  country  militia,  also  taken — the  enemy 
pretended  many  more.  About  20  American  soldiers 
deserted  to  the  enemy  during  the  siege.  Besides 
the  artillery  and  stores  which  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy,  (the  former  being  220  pieces,  from  3  to 
26  pounders)  the  Continental  frigates,  Providence, 
Boston,  Ranger,  and  Queen  of  France,  with  4  State 
galleys,  and  one  French  ship  of  war  were  lost.  It 
was  supposed  that  about  500  American  men,  women 
and  children  were  killed,  during  the  siege.  The 
enemy's  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  consider 
able.  The  enemy  broke  ground  before  the  town 
on  the  first  of  April,  at  the  distance  of  800  yards 
from  the  American  works.  Before  the  surrender  of 
the  place,  it  was  contemplated  in  council  of  war, 
to  embark  the  garrison,  except  about  one  regiment, 
on  board  the  shipping,  in  the  night,  and  run  up  the 
river,  and  land  them;  thereby  to  save  the  army, 
leaving  those  in  the  town  to  make  the  best  terms 
they  could.  This  opinion  for  some  time  prevailed, 
but  it  was  afterwards  given  up.* 

7th. — The  British  fleet  left  Charleston,  said  to  con 
sist  of  2  ships  of  the  line,  2  fifties,  2  forty-gun-ships, 
6  or  7  frigates,  and  between  80  and  90  transports; 
near  2,000  negroes  were  put  on  board  the  fleet. 
Lord  Cornwallis,  with  about  2,000  men,  marched 
from  Charleston  towards  North  Carolina.  A  few 
days  after  the  surrender  of  Charleston  to  the  British 
troops,  the  grand  arsenal,  wherein  was  deposited  all 
the  arms,  &c.  taken  from  the  Americans,  took  fire 
and  blew  up,  by  which  it  was  said  a  number  of  men 
were  killed  and  wounded.  The  loss  of  Charleston 
roused  the  country,  and  seemed  to  give  a  check  to 
that  spirit  of  avarice  and  speculation  which  had  but 

*  See  Appendix  XXVII.    , 


256  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         QUL 

too  much  prevailed  in  all  places,  and  a  determina 
tion,  by  every  exertion,  to  drive  the  enemy  from  the 
country,  appeared  to  be  catching  from  breast  to 
breast. 

At  Rhode  Island  every  preparation  was  making 
for  the  reception  of  the  French  fleet  and  army.  The 
handsome  college  at  Providence  was  given  up  for  a 
hospital.  The  American  privateers  had  been  very 
successful,  and  many  valuable  prizes  were  sent  in. 

24th. — Monsieur  Corney,  a  French  Commissary, 
arrived  at  Providence.  About  this  time,  it  was  sus 
pected  that  the  enemy  at  New  York  had  some  in 
tentions  of  an  attempt  on  our  posts  in  the  Highlands; 
and  some  of  their  shipping  were  up  the  Hudson. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3Oth,  Capt.  Latouch,  in 
the  Hermione,  sailed  from  Newport  harbour.  The 
same  day,  the  British  frigate,  the  Flora,  which  was 
sunk  in  Newport  harbour  nearly  two  years  before, 
was  weighed;  she  had  a  quantity  of  provisions  on 
board. 

July  1st. — News  was  received  that  the  enemy  were 
again  in  motion  in  the  Jerseys. 

2d. — News  was  received  of  the  sailing  of  the 
French  fleet,  which  left  France  the  2d  of  May.  It 
was  said  in  France,  that  if  the  fleet  fell  to  the  north 
ward,  it  would  visit  Halifax;  if  to  the  southward,  it 
would  proceed  to  Rhode  Island. 

A  great  uneasiness,  at  this  time,  prevailed  in  Ire 
land. 

4th. — The  anniversary  of  American  Independence 
was  celebrated  at  Providence,  by  a  discharge  of  13 
cannon  from  the  park.  Governor  Greene,  Monsieur 
de  Corney,  and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen,  dined 
with  our  General. 

By  the  last  accounts,  the  main  army  was  at  Rama- 
po,  in  the  Jerseys.  In  the  skirmish,  which  hap- 


juLY,i78o]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  257 

pened  some  time  before,  near  Springfield,  the  Ameri 
cans  had  about  40  killed  and  wounded.* 

nth. — At  one  o'clock,  A.  M.  our  General  received 
advice,  by  express,  that  the  fleet  of  our  illustrious 
ally  was  seen  off  Newport  the  evening  before.  Be 
fore  sunrise  an  express  was  sent  forward  to  Gen. 
Washington  with  the  agreeable  tidings,  and  our  Gen 
eral  immediately  prepared  to  proceed  to  Newport, 
but  the  day  being  calm,  the  packet  did  not  reach  the 
town  until  12  o'clock  at  night.  General  Rocham- 
beau  had  gone  on  shore  in  the  evening.  Early  the 
next  morning  our  General  went  on  shore,  and  waited 
on  the  Count,  from  which  moment  the  warmest 
friendship  commenced  between  our  General,  the 
Count,  and  all  the  French  officers.  After  breakfast, 
our  General  went  on  board  the  Duke  de  Burgoyne 
man-of-war,  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  Chevalier  de 
Ternay,  who  commanded  the  squadron,  where  the 
same  friendship  was  commenced.  The  fleet  con 
sisted  of  seven  sail  of  the  line,  viz.  the  Duke  de  Bur 
goyne,  of  80  guns;  la  Neptune,  la  Conquerant  of  74; 
la  Jazen,  La  Leville,  la  Ardent,  and  la  Provence  of 
64;  and  the  Fantasque  of  64,  armed  en  flute  with  40 
guns  as  a  hospital  ship;  two  frigates,  and  two  bombs, 
with  a  number  of  transports,  having  on  board  about 
5,000  troops,  besides  the  marines,  the  soldiers,  and 
sailors,  something  sickly.  The  joy  in  the  town  of 
Newport  was  great.  At  n  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  Ad 
miral  saluted  the  town  with  13  cannon,  which  was 
returned  by  the  discharge  of  the  same  number.  In 
the  evening  the  town  was  beautifully  illuminated, 
and  fireworks  exhibited,  to  the  great  pleasure  and 
satisfaction  of  our  allies.  The  fleet,  on  its  passage 
to  America,  fell  in  with  five  British  ships  of  the  line, 
who,  after  firing  a  few  broadsides,  bore  away. 

*  See  Appendix  XXVIII. 


258  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [juLv,i7so 

1 2th. — Our  General  dined  with  the  Count  de 
Rochambeau. 

I3th. — The  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  and  the  principal 
officers  of  the  squadron,  came  on  shore. 

I4th. — Count  de  Rochambeau,  and  the  general 
officers  of  the  French  army,  dined  with  our  General. 

I5th. — A  number  of  the  field-officers  of  the 
French  regiments,  dined  with  our  General  in  the 
most  happy  fraternity. 

1 8th. — Four  sail  of  ships  of  war,  two  of  them  sup 
posed  to  be  of  40  or  50  guns,  appeared  in  the  offing; 
they  were  supposed  to  be  British.  The  same  day, 
the  Chevalier  de  Ternay,  and  the  principal  officers 
of  the  fleet,  dined  with  our  General.  In  the  after 
noon  the  remains  of  the  officer,  who  was  some  time 
before  wounded  on  board  the  Hermione,  and  died 
of  those  wounds,  was  interred  with  military  honours. 

The  missing  transport  of  the  fleet,  with  troops  on 
board,  arrived  safe  in  Boston  harbour,  and  the  troops 
marched  to  Rhode  Island. 

1 9th. — Our  General  dined  with  the  Count. 

20th. — The  frigates  of  the  squadron  came  to  sail 
in  the  morning;  but  the  wind  being  ahead,  they 
were  obliged  to  come  to  anchor.  Intelligence  was 
received  that  Admiral  Greaves,  with  five  or  six  sail 
of  the  line,  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  on  the  I3th. 

On  the  2ist,  in  the  afternoon,  15  or  16  sail  of 
British  ships  of  war  appeared  in  the  offing;  more 
than  one  half  of  them  were  supposed  to  be  ships  of 
the  line.  At  sunset,  they  appeared  to  be  coming  to 
under  Block  Island.  The  frigates,  which  attempted 
to  get  out  in  the  morning,  returned  at  evening. 

Apprehending  that  the  British  fleet  might  be  cruis 
ing  off,  with  a  view  to  intercept  the  second  division 
of  the  French  fleet,  which  was  expected  soon  to  ar 
rive,  our  General  sent  off  expresses  to  head-quarters, 


juLY,i78o]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  259 

Boston  and  Hartford,  advising  of  the  British  fleet 
being  off  Newport — that  dispatch-boats  might  be 
sent  out  to  apprize  the  French,  and  point  them  to 
another  port.  Several  works  and  batteries,  next  to 
the  harbour,  were  mantled  with  cannon. 

22d. — The  British  fleet  were  cruising  off  all  the 
day,  and  rather  nearer  than  they  were  the  preceding 
day.  Eighteen  or  nineteen  sail  were  counted,  eight 
or  nine  of  which  appeared  to  be  of  the  line.  The 
French  squadron  kept  their  former  station  in  the 
harbour,  and  in  the  most  perfect  readiness  for  ac 
tion.  The  army  was  in  the  same  preparedness,  and 
batteries  so  constructed  as  to  afford  a  heavy  cross 
fire  with  the  shipping,  in  the  entrance  of  the  harbour. 
All  vessels  and  boats  were  forbid  passing  out  of  the 
harbour  in  the  night. 

23d. — The  British  were  cruising  ofF — early  in  the 
morning  one  of  their  frigates  was  near  in.  Col. 
Greene's  regiment  of  Continental  troops  took  post  at 
Butt's  Hill,  Bristol,  and  Howland's  Ferries.  Fifty 
French  soldiers,  from  the  army,  were  sent  on  board 
each  of  the  ships  of  the  line.  By  accounts  from 
West  Point,  it  appeared  that  many  recruits  had 
joined,  and  were  joining,  the  American  army. 

24th. — The  British  fleet  continued  off  Newport. 
In  the  afternoon,  12  sail  were  at  anchor  to  the  east 
of  Block  Island,  and  4  frigates  cruising  between  that 
Island  and  Point  Judith.  In  the  evening,  the  Mar 
quis  de  la  Fayette  came  to  town,  from  head-quarters. 

25th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  intended  an  attempt  upon  the  French  army, 
with  10,000  men;  upon  which  1500  of  the  militia  of 
Rhode  Island,  and  Brigadier  Godfrey's  brigade  of 
militia,  of  the  county  of  Bristol,  in  Massachusetts, 
were  called  in  to  Tiverton;  and  the  three  months' 
men,  who  were  destined  to  the  main  army,  such  of 


260  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         DULY,  1780 

them  as  belonged  to  the  counties  of  Suffolk,  Essex, 
Plymouth,  Worcester,  Barnstable  and  Bristol,  were 
ordered  to  march  to  Rhode  Island. 

26th. — A  confirmation  of  the  intention  of  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  against  Newport,  was  received  from 
the  neighborhood  of  New  York,  in  consequence 
of  which,  the  whole  militia  of  the  State  of  Rhode 
Island  was  called  in,  Col.  Tyler's,  Col.  Perry's,  and 
Maj.  Dullard's  militia  regiments,  in  addition  to  Brig 
adier  Godfrey's,  from  Massachusetts.  Signals  were 
fixed  as  far  as  Watch  Hill,  and  every  thing  put  in 
train  for  the  giving  instant  notice,  both  by  day  and 
night,  in  case  the  enemy  should  approach  towards 
the  place. 

27th. — The  wind  being  fresh  at  southwest,  and 
the  air  hazy,  the  privateer  ship  Washington,  Capt. 
Munroe,  ran  by  the  British  fleet,  and  passed  up  the 
harbour.  The  stock  on  Conanicut  Island  was  or 
dered  to  be  taken  off.  Howland's  Ferry  was  to  be 
well  secured  on  both  sides. 

3Oth. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  enemy's 
shipping,  which  were  in  the  Sound,  and  supposed  to 
have  taken  in  troops  at  Whitestone,  had  come  to  sail, 
and  stood  to  the  westward;  on  which,  the  militia 
who  were  coming  in,  except  the  three  months'  men, 
were  permitted  to  return  home.  The  militia  had 
discovered  great  zeal  and  alertness  on  the  occasion. 
About  noon,  the  British  ships  that  had  been  at  an 
chor  off  Block  Island  came  to  sail  and  stood  out  to 
sea. 

The  same  day  a  brig,  with  dispatches  from  France, 
passed  up  the  harbour;  she  ran  on  one  of  the  wrecks, 
and  sunk  immediately. 

31  st. — Our  General  received  letters  from  Gen. 
Washington,  Gen.  Howe,  Gen.  Parsons,  and  Gov. 
Trumbull  intimating  that  the  enemy  intended  an 


JULY,  1780]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  261 

attack  on  Newport;  that  about  150  sail  of  vessels 
were  in  the  Sound;  that  about  8000  troops  were  to 
be  employed  on  the  expedition;  and  that  Gen.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  was  to  command  in  person;  that  26 
heavy  cannon,  some  mortars,  &c.  were  put  on  board. 
In  consequence  of  this  intelligence,  the  militia  were 
again  called  in.  The  next  day  (August  ist)  our 
General  received  the  following  letter  from  Gen. 
Washington: 

ROBINSON'S  HOUSE,  July  31,  1780. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"I  ARRIVED  here  last  night;  having  met  your 
favours  of  the  25th  and  26th  at  Paramus,  where  the 
army  then  lay.  Immediately  upon  hearing  that  the 
transports,  with  the  troops,  which  had  been  some 
days  on  board,  had  sailed  eastward,  I  put  the  army 
in  motion  again;  they  will  cross  the  ferry  to-day, 
and  will  be  joined  by  the  troops  from  hence.  I  pro 
pose  moving  as  rapidly  as  possible  down  towards 
Kingsbridge,  which  will  either  oblige  the  enemy  to 
abandon  their  project  against  Rhode  Island,  or  may 
afford  us  an  opportunity  of  striking  them  to  advan 
tage  in  this  quarter,  if  Sir  Henry  Clinton  has  carried 
with  him  the  number  of  men  reported  (eight  thou 
sand)  and  with  less  than  which,  I  think,  he  would 
scarcely  risk  an  attempt  upon  Count  Rochambeau, 
reinforced  by  the  militia. 

"I  entirely  approve  of  the  measures  you  have 
taken  for  calling  in  aid,  and  have  the  strongest  hopes 
that  if  Sir  Henry  should  venture  upon  an  attack, 
that  he  will  meet  a  reception  very  different  from  what 
he  expects.  You  know  the  critical  situation  in  which 
this  army  will  be  in  a  position  below,  and  how  much 
depends  upon  constant  intelligence  of  the  motions  of 
the  enemy.  I  shall  direct  relays  of  expresses  the 


262  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  Qm.y,  1780 

whole  way,  between  this  army  and  you,  to  convey 
intelligence  in  the  most  expeditious  manner.  The 
nearest  express  to  you  will  be  upon  Tower  Hill;  and 
Gen.  Greene  advises  that  you  should  keep  two 
whale-boats,  to  communicate  with  him,  by  South 
Ferry,  so  long  as  that  passage  shall  be  safe;  and  if 
that  should  be  interrupted,  by  Bissell's  Harbour. 
(Signed)  GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

"P.  S.  I  wish  the  Count  de  Rochambeau  had 
taken  a  position  on  the  main.  G.  W." 

The  militia  came  in  with  great  spirit;  they  were 
formed  into  brigades,  and  every  disposition  made 
for  instant  and  vigorous  defence,  at  every  point 
where  it  was  supposed  an  attempt  might  be  made. 
The  batteries  were  strengthened,  a  very  strong  one 
erected  on  Rose  Island,  and  redoubts  on  Coaster's 
Island:  the  strong  works  on  Butt's  Hill  pushed: 
avenues  across  the  fields  by  the  shortest  routes  were 
opened,  from  the  encampment  of  the  French  army, 
to  those  points  where  their  instant  presence  was 
judged  necessary;  and  such  marks  fixed  at  small 
distances  from  each  other  as  to  prevent  any  mistake 
in  the  route,  either  by  day  or  night;  indeed,  no  one 
precaution  was  omitted,  or  probable  advantage  of 
ground  or  situation  neglected.  Had  Sir  Henry  made 
the  attempt  which  he  menaced,  he  would  undoubt 
edly  have  met  a  warm  reception;  but  for  some  reason 
or  other  he  gave  up  his  design,  and  the  militia  were 
again  sent  home.  Perhaps  on  no  occasion  did  the 
militia  discover  more  ardour,  in  pressing  to  the  field, 
or  more  regularity  when  there,  than  at  that  time, 
which  was  everywhere  testified  by  the  inhabitants. 

Our  General  had  expressed  a  wish  to  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief  to  join  the  main  army,  that  he 
might  enjoy  that  command  to  which  he  was  at  that 


AuG.i78o]        HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  263 

time  entitled,  viz.   the  right  wing;  to  which  Gen. 
Washington,  in  a  letter  dated  August  3d,  replied: 

"As  to  your  coming  on  to  the  army  immediately, 
I  shall  leave  it  entirely  to  yourself  to  act  in  the  affair 
as  you  please.  Your  command  is,  and  will  always 
be  ready  for  you;  however,  if  you  find  your  presence 
where  you  are  necessary,  and  that  it  will  contribute 
to  the  accommodation  of  our  allies,  and  to  the  culti 
vation  of  harmony,  (matters  about  which  I  am  very 
anxious)  it  may  possibly  be  more  eligible  for  you  to 
remain  longer,  as  we  shall  not  probably  have  any 
instant  active  operations.  But,  as  I  have  already 
said,  do  in  the  matter  as  you  like,  and  as  circum 
stances  may  decide." 

And  in  a  subsequent  letter  some  days  after,  he  ob 
served:  "As  to  your  wishes  to  join  the  army,  as  I 
observed  before,  your  aid  may  be  very  material  to  the 
Count;  and  as  we  have  no  prospect  of  immediate 
active  operations,  I  would  rather  wish  you  to  remain 
with  him  longer.  I  thought  it  essential  in  the  first 
instance  that  there  should  be  an  officer  of  rank  sent  to 
him;  and  a  variety  of  reasons  concurred  to  induce  me 
to  believe  that  you  would  answer  the  important  ob 
jects  I  had  in  view,  as  well  at  least  as  any  I  could 
choose.  I  have  not  been  disappointed  in  the  least  in 
my  expectation,  and  the  Count  himself  judges  your 
continuing  very  essential,  and  expressed  himself  in 
the  following  manner  upon  the  subject  several  days 
ago:  *I  shall  keep  with  me,  if  you  think  proper,  Gen. 
Heath,  whose  ardour,  spirit,  and  activity,  are  abso 
lutely  necessary  to  me/  For  these  several  considera 
tions,  I  wish  you  to  reconcile  yourself  to  remaining 
with  him  a  while,  which  will  be  the  more  easy,  when 
you  consider  that  you  will  be  fully  advertised  when- 


264  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AuG.i78o 

ever  we  are  in  a  situation  to  attempt  any  thing  offen 
sive  on  a  great  scale,  and  will  have  your  command." 

The  British  ship  of  war,  the  Galatea,  appeared  off 
Dartmouth.  The  British  fleet  went  to  Gardiner's 
Bay,  excepting  the  frigates,  which  cruised  off.  The 
troops  continued  fortifying  the  island. 

I5th. — The  British  fleet  sailed  from  Gardiner's 
Bay  to  the  eastward.  About  this  time,  Maj.  Gen. 
Greene  resigned  the  Quarter-Master  Generalship 
and  Col.  Pickering  was  appointed  to  that  office. 

iQth. — In  the  afternoon,  the  British  again  appeared 
off  the  harbouB  of  Newport.  A  few  days  before,  the 
Continental  frigate  Alliance  arrived  at  Boston,  in 
five  weeks  and  four  days  from  France,  and  brought 
news  that  there  had  been  a  great  mob  in  England, 
headed  by  Lord  George  Gordon,  and  that  the  pris 
ons,  &c.  had  been  pulled  down. 

23d. — The  privateer  ship  Washington,  Capt.  Tal- 
bot,  of  20  guns,  came  down  the  river,  saluted  the 
Commodore,  and  came  to  anchor. 

24th. — The  French  army,  joined  by  the  Americans, 
fired  salutes  on  account  of  its  being  St.  Louis'  day. 
The  fleet  fired  on  the  next  day. 

The  enemy  were  preparing  for  an  embarkation  of 
troops  at  New  York;  their  destination  unknown. 

The  evening  of  the  2Oth,  three  or  four  of  the 
enemy's  cruisers  were  off  the  harbour. 

26th. — The  British  fleet,  to  the  number  of  more 
than  20  sail,  were  in  the  Vineyard  Sound. 

2Qth. — A  number  of  Indians  from  the  northwest 
ern  tribes  came  to  Newport  to  pay  their  respects  to 
the  General  of  the  army  of  their  father  the  King  of 
France.  They  had  a  hearty  welcome,  a  treat,  and 
presents,  and  were  much  pleased.  They  were  also 
invited  by  our  General  to  a  sumptuous  treat.  After 
dinner,  they  performed  their  war  dance  before  the 


SEPT.i78o]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  265 

officers  of  the  armies,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of 
those  of  the  French,  who  had  not  seen  the  like  before. 
The  next  day,  the  French  troops  were  under  arms, 
manoeuvred,  and  fired,  in  presence  of  the  Indians, 
who  were  much  pleased. 

3 1  st. — Information  was  received  that  Admiral  Ar- 
buthnot  was  near  the  Vineyard  with  nine  sail  of  the 
line,  eight  other  ships  of  war  of  different  force,  and 
two  tenders;  that  he  had  made  a  demand  of  11,000 
Ibs.  of  beef  and  mutton,  to  be  delivered  every  other 
day,  at  five  pence  per  Ib.  The  inhabitants  remon 
strating  against  furnishing  so  large  a  quantity,  the 
Admiral  assured  them  that  in  case  they  voluntarily 
delivered  as  much  as  their  ability  would  allow,  he 
would  dispense  with  what  might  be  wanting. 

The  enemy  continued  their  preparations  for  some 
grand  enterprise,  which  could  not  be  developed. 

September  loth. — The  British  fleet  were  returned 
again  to  Gardiner's  Bay,  and  their  old  station  be 
tween  Long  Island  and  Block  Island. 

nth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  on  the  i6th 
ult.  Major-General  Gates  was  totally  defeated  by 
the  British,  at  or  near  Camden,  in  South  Carolina. 
The  Maryland  line  suffered  greatly,  and  Maj.  Gen. 
Baron  de  Kalb  was  wounded,  of  which  wounds  he 
died. 

I4th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Brig.  Gen. 
Poor,  of  New  Hampshire,  died  at  camp  on  the  8th, 
of  a  putrid  fever;  and  that  Brig.  Gen.  Nixon  had 
resigned  his  commission.  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
was  holding  a  body  of  troops,  said  to  be  about  6,000, 
in  readiness  to  embark  at  New  York,  said  to  be  des 
tined  to  the  southward.  The  lyth,  in  the  morning, 
the  Continental  regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Greene,  crossed  over  from  the  island  to  Greenwich, 
from  whence  they  were  to  march  to  the  main  army. 


266  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  1780 

2 1 st. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Admiral 
Rodney  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  on  the  I3th,  with 
ten  sail  of  the  line,  and  two  frigates — that  on  the 
I5th,  Commodore  Drake,  with  four  sail  of  the  line, 
was  detached  from  the  Hook  to  join  Admiral  Ar- 
buthnot  near  Gardiner's  Island,  and  that  these  four 
ships  joined  on  the  i8th.  This  junction  was  in 
tended  to  intercept  12  sail  of  French  men-of-war, 
which  were  expected  to  be  coming  from  the  West 
Indies  to  Rhode  Island — that  the  y6th  and  8oth 
British  regiments,  one  Hessian  regiment,  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  Fanning's  corps,  a  part  of  the  horse,  and  all 
the  British  grenadiers  and  light-infantry,  were  or 
dered  to  embark  immediately  at  New  York — it  was 
conjectured  for  Virginia.  The  disposition  of  the 
British  troops  at  that  time  was  said  to  be  as  follows: 
the  22d,  y6th  British,  3  Hessian  regiments,  Robin 
son's  corps,  and  some  artillery  in  the  city — Highland 
emigrants,  at  Brooklyn — a  few  invalids  at  Newtown— 
one  regiment  of  Hessians  at  Jamaica — the  37th,  38th 
and  43d  British,  one  Hessian  regiment,  one  yager, 
one  grenadier,  and  one  light-infantry  from  Jamaica 
to  Flushing — about  three  regiments  at  Whitestone — 
Queen's  Rangers,  Oyster  Bay — Fanning's  regiment, 
the  3d  regiment  of  Delaney's,  and  the  Jersey  volun 
teers,  Lloyd's  Neck — Col.  Abercrombie,  with  about 
600  infantry,  at  Huntington — the  iyth  dragoons  at 
Smithtown — about  1500  men  from  Harlem  to 
Kingsbridge.  At  this  time,  the  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  and  Admiral  de  Ternay  had  an  interview  with 
Gen.  Washington  at  Hartford. 

22d. — Col.  Greene's  regiment  was  ordered  to  re 
turn  from  Greenwich  to  the  island.  The  French 
army  continued  very  busy  in  fortifying  Rhode  Island: 
some  of  their  works  were  exceedingly  strong,  and 
mounted  with  heavy  metal. 


SEPx.i78o]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  267 

24th. — In  the  evening,  Gen.  Rochambeau  and  the 
Admiral  returned  to  Rhode  Island. 

30th. — A  French  frigate  arrived  at  Newport  from 
the  West  Indies,  but  brought  no  news  of  consequence. 
The  Count  de  Guichen,  instead  of  coming  this  way 
with  the  fleet  from  the  West  Indies,  was  going  or 
gone  for  Europe. 

While  General  Washington  was  in  interview  with 
General  Rochambeau  at  Hartford,  Maj.  Gen.  Ar 
nold,  who  had  the  immediate  command  of  West 
Point,  was  playing  a  most  traitorous  game  with  the 
British,  for  the  delivery  of  that  important  post  into 
their  hands — which  was  communicated  to  our  Gen 
eral  by  the  Commander  in  Chief,  in  the  following 
letter: 

ROBINSON'S  HOUSE,  Sept.  26,  1780. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"IN  the  present  situation  of  things,  I  think  it 
necessary  that  you  should  join  the  army;  and  request 
that  you  will  do  it.  You  will  come  to  head-quarters 
yourself.  The  route  through  Litchfield  will  be  the 
most  eligible  for  you,  on  account  of  security;  and  you 
may  direct  your  baggage  to  halt  at  Fishkill,  for  your 
further  orders.  I  write  to  the  Count  de  Rochambeau 
by  this  conveyance;  and  I  trust  that  your  coming 
away  now  will  not  be  attended  with  any  material 
inconvenience  to  him. 

"I  cannot  conclude,  without  informing  you  of  an 
event  which  has  happened  here,  which  will  strike 
you  with  astonishment  and  indignation: — Maj.  Gen. 
Arnold  has  gone  to  the  enemy.  He  had  had  an  in 
terview  with  Major  Andre,  Adjutant-General  of  the 
British  army,  and  had  put  into  his  possession  a  state 
of  the  army  of  the  garrison  at  this  post,  of  the  num 
ber  of  men  considered  as  necessary  for  the  defence 
of  it;  a  return  of  the  ordnance,  and  the  disposition 


268  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS        [SEPT.  1780 

of  the  artillery  corps,  in  case  of  an  alarm.  By  a  most 
providential  interposition,  Major  Andre  was  taken  in 
returning  to  New  York,  with  all  these  papers  in  Gen. 
Arnold's  hand-writing;  who,  hearing  of  the  matter, 
kept  it  to  himself,  left  his  quarters  immediately,  un 
der  pretext  of  going  over  to  West  Point,  on  Monday 
forenoon,  about  an  hour  before  my  arrival;  then 
pushed  down  the  river  in  the  barge,  which  was  not 
discovered  till  I  had  returned  from  West  Point  in  the 
afternoon,  and  when  I  received  the  first  information 
of  Mr.  Andre's  capture.  Measures  were  instantly 
taken  to  apprehend  him;  but,  before  the  officers  sent 
for  the  purpose  could  reach  Verplanck's  Point,  he 
had  passed  it  with  a  flag,  and  got  on  board  the  Vul 
ture  ship  of  war,  which  lay  a  few  miles  below.  He 
knew  of  my  approach,  and  that  I  was  visiting,  with 
the  Marquis,  the  north  and  middle  redoubts;  and 
from  this  circumstance,  was  so  straitened  in  point 
of  time,  that  I  believe  he  carried  with  him  but  very 
few,  if  any,  material  papers;  though  he  has  a  very 
precise  knowledge  of  the  affairs  of  the  post.  The 
gentlemen  of  Gen.  Arnold's  family,  I  have  the 
greatest  reason  to  believe,  were  not  privy  in  the 
least  degree  to  the  measure  he  was  carrying  on,  or 
to  his  escape. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON." 

Gen.  Arnold's  panic  was  so  great,  when  he  found 
that  the  plot  was  discovered,  that  he  called  out  for  a 
horse,  any  horse  that  first  came  to  hand,  if  it  were  a 
wagon-horse;  upon  the  horse  being  brought,  the 
General  mounted,  and,  instead  of  passing  to  the 
landing  by  the  usual  path,  he  rode  down  a  steep  bank, 
where  it  seemed  impossible  for  a  horse  with  a  rider 
to  get  down,  without  being  unhorsed. 

When  Arnold  had  passed  Verplanck's  Point,  and 


SEPT.i78o]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  269 

had  got  under  the  guns  of  the  Vulture,  he  told  Cor 
poral  Larvey,  who  was  cockswain  of  the  barge,  that 
he  was  going  on  board  the  ship,  and  that  he  should 
not  return;  that  if  he  (Larvey)  would  stay  with  him, 
he  should  have  a  commission  in  the  British  service. 
To  this,  Larvey,  who  was  a  smart  fellow,  replied, 

that  he  would  be  d d  if  he  fought  on  both  sides; 

the  General  replied  that  he  would  send  him  on 
shore.  Arnold  then  told  the  barge  crew,  that  if  any 
or  all  of  them  would  stay  with  him,  they  should  be 
treated  well;  but  if  they  declined  staying,  they  should 
be  sent  on  shore.  One  or  two  staid,  the  rest,  with 
the  cockswain,  were  sent  on  shore  in  the  ship's  boat; 
the  barge  was  kept.  Larvey,  for  his  fidelity,  was 
made  a  sergeant.  He  thought  he  had  merited  more; 
that  he  ought  to  have  had  as  much  as  Arnold  prom 
ised  him.  He  continued  uneasy  until  at  his  re 
peated  request  he  was  allowed  to  leave  the  army. 

Maj.  Andre,  on  his  return  towards  New  York, 
fell  in  with  three  young  men  below  the  lines,  John 
Paulding,  David  Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Wart;  they 
did  not  at  first  know  that  Andre  was  a  British  officer, 
and  he  was  at  a  loss  whether  they  were  British,  ref 
ugees,  or  staunch  Americans.  There  was  conse 
quently  a  little  finesse  exhibited  on  both  sides;  but 
at  length  it  was  fully  discovered  who  Andre  was. 
He  then  attempted  to  bribe  the  young  men  by  of 
fering  them  a  large  sum  of  money;  but  their  fidelity 
was  too  great  to  be  purchased.  They  brought  him 
up,  and  delivered  him  to  the  Americans,  where  he 
was  tried,  sentenced,  and  hanged  as  a  spy.  The 
British  General  on  the  river  endeavoured  to  save  his 
life,  first  by  threats,  and  then  by  persuasions;  but  all 
was  in  vain.  Maj.  Andre's  behaviour,  until  the  time 
of  his  execution,  was  becoming  an  officer  and  a  gen 
tleman;  and  such,  in  his  last  moments,  as  drew  tears 


270  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1780 

from  many  eyes.  But  it  must  be  remembered  that 
he  who  consents  to  become  a  spy,  when  he  sets  out, 
has  by  allusion  a  halter  put  round  his  neck,  and  that 
by  the  usage  of  armies,  if  he  be  taken,  the  other  end 
of  the  halter  is  speedily  made  fast  to  a  gallows. 

Congress,  pleased  with  the  conduct  of  John  Paul- 
ding,  David  Williams,  and  Isaac  Van  Wart,  passed  a 
resolution,  on  the  4th  of  October,  directing  that  200 
dollars,  in  specie,  should  be  annually  paid  to  them, 
during  life;  and  that  a  silver  medal,  descriptive  of 
their  fidelity,  with  the  thanks  of  Congress,  should  be 
presented  to  each  of  them. 

The  situation  of  the  British  army,  and  other  cir 
cumstances,  at  the  moment  Andre  was  detected, 
were  such  as  render  it  highly  probable,  that  if  he  had 
not  been  taken,  the  most  serious  consequences  to 
the  American  cause  would  very  soon  have  taken 
place. 

October  1st. — The  next  day  after  our  General  re 
ceived  the  letter  from  Gen.  Washington,  he  took  a 
most  affectionate  leave  of  the  French  officers,  and 
left  Newport,  to  prepare  to  go  on  to  the  army.  His 
wagon-horses  were  out  in  the  country  at  a  distance; 
these  were  to  be  brought  in,  shod,  &c.  and  other 
preparations  to  be  made,  which  prevented  his  leaving 
Providence  until  the  afternoon  of  the  Qth,  when  he 
was  attended  out  of  town  by  a  number  of  officers 
and  other  gentlemen.  Before  he  left  Providence, 
he  bid  Count  Rochambeau  another  farewell  by  let 
ter,  to  which  an  answer  was  forwarded  on  after  him, 
as  follows: 

NEWPORT,  Oct.  12,  1780. 
"Mv  DEAR  GENERAL, 

"I  HAVE  received  the  letter  that  you  honoured 
me  with  from  Providence.  I  am  extremely  sensible 
of  the  marks  of  friendship  that  you  give  me,  and 


ocr.i78o]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  271 

likewise  very  grateful  for  all  that  your  good  heart 
has  dictated  to  you  upon  the  occasion  of  our  present 
separation.  I  regret  vastly  your  absence,  my  dear 
General,  as  well  as  all  the  army;  and  I  shall  never 
forget  the  zeal,  the  activity,  and  the  intelligence, 
with  which  you  helped  us  in  all  our  operations;  and 
the  French  army  will  always  be  most  grateful  for  it. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  most  inviolable 
attachment,  my  dear  General,  your  most  obedient 
and  humble  servant, 

(Signed)        LE  COUNT  DE  ROCHAMBEAU." 

i6th. — Our  General  reached  West  Point,  where 
he  met  the  following  letter  from  Gen.  Washington: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEAR  PASSAICK  FALLS, 
"DEAR  SIR,  Oct.  14,  1780. 

"IN  my  letter  of  the  26th  ult.  by  which  I  re 
quested  you  to  rejoin  the  army,  I  desired  that  you 
would  come  yourself  to  head-quarters.  I  am  now 
to  request  that  you  will  proceed  to  West  Point,  and 
take  upon  you  the  command  of  that  post  and  its  de 
pendencies.  Maj.  Gen.  Greene,  who  is  at  present 
there,  will  either  communicate  to  you  himself,  or 
leave  with  Gen.  M'Dougal  to  be  transferred,  the 
instructions  he  received  respecting  the  post;  to  which 
you  will  be  pleased  to  attend.  If  this  should  not 
find  you  at  West  Point,  it  is  my  wish  that  you  should 
arrive  there  as  soon  as  circumstances  will  possibly 
admit;  and  I  hope  there  will  be  nothing  to  delay  it. 
(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON." 

Our  General  had  scarcely  entered  on  the  com 
mand,  before  he  received  intelligence  that  the  enemy 
were  making  an  incursion  upon  the  northern  frontier 
of  New  York;  upon  which  he  immediately,  without 


272  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [OCT.  i7s0 

consulting  the  Commander  in  Chief,  ordered  Col. 
Gansevoort's  regiment  to  their  relief,  and  commu 
nicated  what  he  had  done  to  head-quarters,  to  which 
he  received  the  following  answer: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  PREAKNESS,  i6th  Oct.  1780. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"I  AM  favoured  with  yours  of  yesterday,  ac 
companied  by  a  letter  from  his  Excellency  Governor 
Clinton,  who  gives  me  an  account  of  the  incursion 
upon  the  frontiers.  I  am  happy  that  you  detached 
Gansevoort's  regiment  immediately;  you  will  be 
pleased  to  order  either  Weisenfeld's  or  Willett's,  as 
you  may  judge  proper,  to  follow,  and  take  orders 
from  the  Governor  or  the  commanding  officer.  This 
is  all  the  force  I  think  we  ought  to  detach  from  the 
posts  until  the  views  of  the  enemy  are  more  fully 
ascertained.  They  put  off  the  long  expected  em 
barkation  strangely.  They  had  not  sailed  the  I3th, 
and  it  was  then  said  the  expedition  was  delayed  for 
some  purpose.  The  number  under  orders,  by  esti 
mate,  are  about  2,000,  or  something  upwards.  If 
the  militia  should  not  have  been  discharged,  when 
this  reaches  you,  you  will  be  pleased  to  detain  about 
500,  to  make  up  for  the  detachment  you  have  sent 
up  the  river.  I  have  received  yours  of  the  I3th,  as 
I  have  done  that  enclosing  the  estimates,  for  which  I 
am  much  obliged.  You  will  be  pleased  to  carry 
into  execution  what  you  proposed,  respecting  the 
posts  at  Stony  and  Verplanck's  Points. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON." 

This  was  followed  by  another,  dated  the  i8th,  in 
which  the  Commander  in  Chief  observed,  "I  am 
glad  to  find,  by  your  letter  of  the  I7th,  that  you 
were  arrived  at  West  Point,  and  had  taken  the  com- 


HEATH'S    MEMOIRS 


273 


mand  of  that  important  post."  This  was  occasioned 
by  our  General  having  been  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river  a  day  or  two,  until  the  quarters  on  the  point 
were  quitted  by  Maj.  Gen.  Greene,  who  was  ordered 
to  the  southward. 

On  the  iyth,  intelligence  was  received,  that  the 
enemy  had  advanced  to  Fort  George  and  Fort  Ann, 
both  of  which  had  fallen  into  their  hands;  that  after 
destroying  the  works,  and  burning  about  thirty 
houses,  and  as  many  barns,  they  had  gone  back; 
but  it  was  apprehended  that  they  would  advance 
again. 

igth.  —  Maj.  Gen.  Greene  left  West  Point.  The 
same  day  intelligence  was  received,  that  on  the  i6th 
the  long-talked-of  embarkation  of  troops  sailed  from 
New  York,  supposed  to  be  destined  to  the  south 
ward.  The  American  troops  at  this  time  drove  up 
the  fat  cattle  which  were  near  the  lines,  in  conse 
quence  of  a  warrant  from  Gov.  Clinton. 

2  1  st.  —  Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  enemy 
were  meditating  an  excursion  as  far  up  as  Crom  Pond 
and  its  vicinity,  to  sweep  off  all  the  cattle.  Our 
General  immediately  ordered  Col.  Hazen,  with  a 
detachment  of  500  men,  to  move  to  Pine's  Bridge, 
and  Lieut.  Col.  Jameson,  with  the  2d  light  dragoons, 
to  move  from  Bedford  towards  Col.  Hazen.  The 
detachment  arrived  at  Pine's  Bridge  about  10  o'clock 
the  same  evening,  and  Col.  Jameson  with  the  dra 
goons  at  about  2  o'clock  the  next  morning.  The 
evening  of  the  23d,  Col.  Hazen  returned  with  the 
detachment;  the  enemy  did  not  come  out. 

About  this  time,  the  enemy  received  a  small  rein 
forcement  at  New  York,  from  England,  said  to  be 
1,500  or  2,000.  Two  or  three  very  valuable  prizes, 
laden  with  rum,  sugar,  &c.  were  sent  into  Philadel 
phia,  and  news  was  received  that  upwards  of  50  sail 


274  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1780 

of  British  East  and  West  Indiamen,  outward  bound, 
were  taken  by  the  combined  fleets  of  France  and 
Spain,  near  Cape  Finisterre. 

24th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  enemy 
had  laid  waste  a  great  part  of  the  fertile  country 
above  Saratoga,  and  to  the  westward  of  Schenectady. 
The  same  night,  20  prisoners  made  their  escape  from 
the  provost  at  Fishkill,  by  digging  upwards  of  20 
feet  under  ground;  parties  were  sent  out  after  them 
in  different  directions,  and  some  of  them  were 
retaken. 

26th. — News  was  received,  that  the  militia,  under 
Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  obtained  a  considerable  ad 
vantage  over  the  enemy  at  the  northward,  on  the 
iQth  instant,  at  the  Fox  Mills.  The  action  lasted 
for  some  hours;  the  enemy  left  their  baggage,  pris 
oners,  &c.  Col.  Brown  was  killed  in  skirmishing 
with  the  enemy  on  the  morning  of  the  same  day. 

28th. — Official  intelligence  was  received  of  a  signal 
advantage  gained  by  the  Americans  in  North  Car 
olina  over  a  corps  of  fourteen  hundred  men,  British 
troops,  and  new  levies,  commanded  by  Col.  Fer 
guson.  The  militia  of  the  neighbouring  country 
under  Colonels  Williams  and  Shelby,  and  others 
having  assembled  to  the  number  of  3,000,  detached 
1, 600  men  on  horseback,  to  fall  in  with  Ferguson's 
party  on  its  march  to  Charlotte — they  came  up  with 
them  at  a  place  called  King's  Mountain,  advanta 
geously  posted,  and  gave  them  a  total  defeat,  in 
which  Col.  Ferguson,  with  150  of  his  men  were 
killed,  800  made  prisoners,  and  1,500  stands  of  arms 
taken,  with  but  inconsiderable  loss,  except,  and 
greatly  to  be  regretted,  the  brave  Col.  Williams,  who 
was  supposed  to  be  mortally  wounded.  A  second 
account  stated  the  enemy's  whole  loss  in  killed, 


Nov.i78o]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  275 

wounded  and  prisoners,  at  1,105;  and  that  of  the 
Americans  in  killed  and  wounded,  64.* 

ZQth. — Brig.  Gen.  James  Clinton  was  ordered  to 
Albany,  to  take  the  command  in  that  quarter. 

30th. — Capt.  Johnson,  with  a  detachment  con 
sisting  of  100  men,  marched  to  do  duty  on  the  lines 
for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants  against  the 
enemy,  and  the  Cowboys,  (so  called)  a  set  of  plun 
dering  thieves. 

3 1 st. — A  ridiculous  proclamation  of  the  traitor 
Arnold  made  its  appearance;  he  styled  himself  a 
Brigadier-General,  and  invited  the  officers  and  sol 
diers  of  the  American  army  to  join  him,  promising 
ample  encouragement,  &c.,  but  it  had  no  effect. 

November  ist. — A  severe  storm  of  snow  and  rain. 
The  brave  soldiers  who  were  but  illy  clad,  and  desti 
tute  of  blankets,  were  in  a  shivering  condition. 

The  devastation  committed  by  the  enemy  at  the 
northward,  was  found  to  be  very  great;  at  least  200 
dwellings  and  150,000  bushels  of  wheat,  with  a  pro 
portion  of  other  grain  and  forage,  were  supposed  to 
have  been  destroyed;  had  not  the  pursuit  after  the 
enemy  been  very  rapid,  the  devastation  would  have 
been  much  greater. 

The  American  army  were  at  this  time  experi 
encing  a  great  want  of  flour,  which  they  bore  with 
their  usual  patience. 

4th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  Maj.  Carle- 
ton,  after  being  reinforced  with  500  men,  was  re 
turning  towards  Skenesboro;  it  was  supposed 
that  his  force  had  increased  to  about  1,600,  and  fur 
ther  depredations  on  the  frontiers  were  expected. 
The  militia  of  the  upper  counties  were  again  ordered 
out  by  Gov.  Clinton. 

The  same  day,  the  new  arrangement  of  the  army 

*  See  Appendix  XXIX. 


276  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         [NOV.  1780 

was  published.  The  encouragement  to  both  officers 
and  soldiers  was  generous. 

5th. — The  troops  were  again  without  bread.  In 
telligence  was  received  that  the  enemy  had  landed  a 
body  of  troops  at  Portsmouth,  in  Virginia,  and  that 
another  embarkation  was  talked  of  at  New  York. 

6th. — News  was  received  from  Boston,  that  his 
Excellency  John  Hancock  had  been  chosen  Governor 
of  the  State  of  Massachusetts — the  first  Governor 
under  the  new  constitution.  The  same  day,  intel 
ligence  was  received  from  the  northward,  that  the 
enemy  had  crossed  Lake  George  the  Thursday  be 
fore,  and  advanced  to  Fort  Edward,  the  small  gar 
rison  of  which  abandoned  the  fort  on  the  approach  of 
the  enemy,  whose  numbers  were  said  to  be  about  800. 
The  militia  were  out,  and  the  1st  and  5th  New  York 
regiments  were  ordered  to  embark  and  sail  for  Al 
bany  immediately.  They  sailed  early  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  Qth.  On  the  same  day,  intelligence  was 
received,  that  the  enemy  had  lately  made  an  excur 
sion  to  the  upper  parts  of  Connecticut  river,  and 
destroyed  a  number  of  houses  at  Royalton.  The  mi 
litia  turned  out  with  spirit,  repulsed  and  pursued 
them;  the  enemy  made  off  with  precipitation,  leaving 
their  plunder,  &c.  behind  them.  Upwards  of  2,000 
militia  were  assembled  in  that  quarter. 

The  2d  regiment  of  dragoons  moved  from  Bed 
ford  to  North  Castle. 

The  enemy  published  several  letters  in  the  New 
York  papers,  which  were  taken  from  the  Fishkill 
post-rider  not  long  before  at  Stratford;  in  particular, 
one  from  the  general  officers  belonging  to  the  New 
England  States  to  their  several  Legislatures. 

A  partial  but  not  general  exchange  of  prisoners 
took  place  about  this  time.  Maj.  Gen.  Lincoln  was 
exchanged  for  Maj.  Gen.  Phillips;  General  Thomp- 


Nov.i78o]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  277 

son,  and  a  number  of  American  officers,  who  had 
long  been  prisoners,  were  also  exchanged. 

I4th. — The  great  chain,  which  was  laid  across  the 
Hudson  at  West  Point,  was  taken  up  for  the  winter; 
it  was  done  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  Govion, 
Capt.  Buchanan,  and  Capt.  Nevers,  with  a  strong 
detachment  of  the  garrison,  and  with  skill  and  dex 
terity.  This  chain  was  as  long  as  the  width  of  the 
river  between  West  Point  and  Constitution  Island, 
where  it  was  fixed  to  great  blocks  on  each  side,  and 
under  the  fire  of  batteries  on  both  sides  of  the  river. 
The  links  of  this  chain  were  probably  12  inches  wide, 
and  1 8  inches  long;  the  iron  about  2  inches  square. 
This  heavy  chain  was  buoyed  up  by  very  large  logs 
of  perhaps  16  or  more  feet  long,  a  little  pointed  at 
the  ends,  to  lessen  their  opposition  to  the  force  of  the 
water  on  flood  and  ebb.  The  logs  were  placed  at 
short  distances  from  each  other,  the  chain  carried 
over  them,  and  made  fast  to  each  by  staples,  to  pre 
vent  their  shifting;  and  there  were  a  number  of 
anchors  dropped  at  distances,  with  cables  made  fast 
to  the  chain,  to  give  it  a  greater  stability.  The 
short  bend  of  the  river  at  this  place  was  much  in 
favour  of  the  chain's  proving  effectual;  for  a  vessel, 
coming  up  the  river  with  the  fairest  wind  and  strong 
est  way,  must  lose  them  on  changing  her  course  to 
turn  the  point;  and  before  she  could  get  under  any 
considerable  way  again,  even  if  the  wind  was  fair, 
she  would  be  on  the  chain,  and  at  the  same  time 
under  a  heavy  shower  of  shot  and  shells. 

1 5th. — The  ist  and  5th  New  York  regiments  re 
turned  from  Albany,  the  enemy  having  returned  to 
Canada,  except  about  400  men,  chiefly  British,  who 
were  encamped  about  10  miles  below  Crown  Point. 
Provisions  were  extremely  scarce  at  Albany. 


278  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  1780 

The  night  of  the  i6th,  a  number  of  the  boats  were 
stove  by  the  violence  of  the  wind  and  storm. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i8th,  five  large  flat-bot 
tomed  boats,  under  the  charge  of  a  subaltern  and 
25  picked  watermen,  were  sent  down  the  river  to  the 
float  above  Dobb's  Ferry,  where  they  were  to  be 
placed  on  carriages,  and  transported  to  a  certain 
place,  for  an  enterprise  which  was  meditating  against 
the  enemy. 

iQth. — Five  companies,  of  50  men  each,  marched 
from  West  Point,  for  the  purpose  of  impressing  teams 
in  the  upper  part  of  Westchester,  and  lower  parts  of 
Dutchess  Counties,  preparatory  to  the  grand  forage. 

The  same  day,  the  invalids  of  the  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut  lines,  and  a  detachment  of  able- 
bodied  men,  the  whole  about  1000,  arrived  at  West 
Point,  from  the  main  army. 

2Oth. — Three  light  field-pieces,  with  four  ammu 
nition  tumbrels,  with  ammunition  for  the  artillery, 
and  musket-cartridges;  and  also  a  quantity  of  hard 
bread,  rum,  &c.  was  sent  down  to  Peekskill,  for 
the  use  of  the  grand  foragers. 

2 1  st. — The  troops  destined  for  the  grand  forage 

Jaraded  between  Nelson's  Point  and  the  church, 
ust  before  they  marched,  Chevalier  Chastellux, 
Major  General  in  the  French  army,  at  Newport,  and 
some  other  French  officers,  arrived;  the  detachment 
defiled  before  them,  and  proceeded  for  the  lines. 
The  French  officers  were  much  pleased  with  the 
appearance  of  the  troops. 

Gen.  Chastellux  then  accompanied  our  General 
over  to  the  Point,  and  on  landing  was  saluted  by  the 
discharge  of  13  cannon;  after  dinner,  he  took  a  view 
of  Forts  Clinton,  Putnam,  Willis,  &c.  At  evening 
Count  Noailles,  Count  Damas,  and  Maj.  Duplessis, 
arrived  at  the  Point.  The  next  morning,  about  9 


Nov.i78o]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  279 

o'clock,  Gen.  Chastellux,  and  the  other  French  offi 
cers,  amidst  a  severe  cold  storm  of  rain,  embarked 
on  board  the  barge,  and  went  down  the  river  to 
King's  Ferry,  on  their  way  to  head-quarters;  on 
leaving  West  Point,  they  were  again  saluted  by  13 
cannon. 

The  evening  of  the  22d,  Brig.  Gen.  Stark  arrived 
at  Wright's  Mills,  and  the  wagons  were  collected 
at  North  Castle.  This  grand  forage  was  to  mask 
an  enterprise,  which  was  to  have  been  attempted  by 
Gen.  Washington,  from  the  main  army;  although 
the  foraging  was  in  itself  an  important  object.  The 
enterprise,  for  some  reasons,  was  not  attempted,  but 
the  grand  forage  was  very  successful.  Some  of  the 
light  troops  went  as  low  down  as  East  Chester;  and 
on  the  2yth,  Gen.  Stark  returned  with  a  large  quan 
tity  of  corn,  some  hay,  cattle,  &c. 

The  next  day,  the  main  army  separated  to  move 
into  winter-quarters,  and  the  light-infantry  corps  was 
broken  up  for  the  winter,  and  the  men  ordered  to 
join  their  respective  regiments.  The  corps  of  light- 
infantry  was  perhaps  as  fine  a  body  of  men  as  was 
ever  formed.  Major-General  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fayette  had,  with  infinite  pains  and  great  expense, 
endeavoured  to  render  them  respectable  in  their  ap 
pearance  as  well  as  discipline,  in  which  he  was  nobly 
seconded  by  the  officers:  it  was  a  pity  that  the  oper 
ations  of  the  campaign  did  not  afford  an  opportunity 
for  the  Marquis  to  signalize  himself  with  this  corps. 

30th. — The  New  Jersey  brigade  left  West  Point, 
proceeding  down  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  on 
their  way  to  Pompton,  where  they  took  winter-quar 
ters.  In  the  afternoon,  the  four  Massachusetts 
brigades  arrived  at  West  Point,  and  the  two  Connec 
ticut  brigades  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  where 
the  whole  took  winter-quarters. 


28o  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1780 

A  few  days  before,  viz.  on  the  23d,  Maj.  Tall- 
madge,  with  a  detachment  from  the  2d  regiment  of 
dragoons,  conducted  with  great  address  an  enterprise 
against  the  enemy's  Fort  St.  George,  on  Long  Island. 
Fort  St.  George  was  stockaded,  and  encompassed  a 
large  spot  of  ground,  a  square  redoubt,  with  a  ditch 
and  abattis.  The  enterprise  succeeded  completely. 
One  half-pay  Lieutenant-Colonel,  i  half-pay  Cap 
tain,  I  Subaltern,  and  50  rank  and  file,  were  made 
prisoners.  The  fort  was  destroyed  and  burnt.  Two 
armed  vessels  burnt,  and  a  large  magazine  of  hay, 
said  to  be  about  300  tons,  was  destroyed. 

December  I  st. — One  of  the  largest  scows  at  Kings' 
Ferry,  in  crossing,  with  several  baggage  wagons  on 
board,  sunk. 

The  same  day,  our  General  began  to  discharge 
the  six-months  men,  beginning  with  those  who  were 
the  worst  clothed  and  unfit  for  duty. 

4th. — The  three  New  York  regiments  sailed  for 
Albany,  where  they  were  to  take  winter-quarters. 

5th. — Marquis  Laval,  Count  de  Custine,  and  Col. 
Fleury,  of  the  French  army  at  Newport,  arrived  at 
West  Point,  on  a  visit. 

6th. — At  evening  his  Excellency  Gen.  Washington, 
arrived  at  New  Windsor,  where  he  took  winter-quar 
ters.  The  same  evening,  accounts  were  received 
that  there  had  been  a  terrible  hurricane  in  the  West 
Indies. 

On  the  evening  of  the  Qth,  Gen.  Varnum  and  Col. 
Pickering,  arrived  at  West  Point;  at  this  time  the 
troops  were  without  bread,  and  very  uneasy.  The 
next  day,  300  barrels  of  flour  arrived.  A  little  before 
noon,  Gen.  Washington  visited  West  Point. 

1 2th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  New  York, 
that  another  embarkation  was  to  take  place,  and  that 
Gen.  Phillips  and  Gen.  Arnold  were  to  command. 


DEc.i78o]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  281 

Major  Tallmadge  received  the  thanks  of  Congress 
for  his  good  conduct  in  taking  Fort  St.  George. 

iyth. — An  express  from  Major  Maxwell  on  the 
lines,  brought  up  intelligence  that  the  enemy  at  Mor- 
risania,  under  Col.  Delancey,  were  preparing  for  an 
enterprise.  The  Major  was  cautioned  to  be  on  his 
guard. 

1 8th. — News  was  received  that  Monsieur  de  Sar- 
tine,  the  primate  of  France,  had  been  removed — Mr. 
D'Castries  appointed. 

iQth. — News  was  received  that  the  Hon.  Henry 
Laurens,  who  was  sent  on  a  mission  to  Holland,  had 
been  taken  by  the  British,  carried  into  England,  and 
closely  confined.  The  British  government  talked  of 
sending  to  America  a  large  reinforcement  for  the 
next  campaign.* 

2Oth. — Further  intelligence  having  been  received 
that  Col.  Delancey  intended  to  visit  our  troops  on  the 
lines,  in  order  to  give  him  a  proper  reception,  150 
men  were  ordered  from  the  New  Hampshire  line,  to 
march  to  Crom  Pond. 

2 1 st. — Intelligence  was  received  that  on  the  pre 
ceding  Friday,  the  transports  which  had  taken  the 
troops  on  board  at  New  York,  fell  down  to  the  wa 
tering-place.  They  were  to  be  conveyed  by  one  50 
gun  ship  and  two  frigates. 

On  the  night  of  the  Qth,  Major  Hugerford,  of 
Delancey's  corps,  surprised  and  took  prisoners  Lieut. 
Col.  Wells,  of  a  Connecticut  State  regiment,  who 
was  stationed  near  Horseneck,  with  one  Captain,  two 
Lieutenants,  two  Ensigns,  and  upwards  of  twenty 
privates. 

23d. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Monsieur,  the 
Chevalier  de  Ternay,  Admiral  of  the  French  squad 
ron  at  Newport,  had  died  there. 

*  See  Appendix  XXX. 


282  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1780 

The  troops  on  the  lines  were  reinforced  with  50 
men,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Hull  was  appointed  to  the  com 
mand  on  the  lines. 

2yth. — The  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Wash 
ington  Lodge  celebrated  the  feast  of  St.  John,  at 
Starkean  Hall,  on  West  Point. 

3<Dth. — Gen.  Washington  visited  the  Point,  and, 
with  a  number  of  other  officers,  dined  with  our 
General. 

On  the  25th  inst.  Major  Humphreys,  aide-de-camp 
to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  went  towards  New  York 
on  an  enterprise;  he  was  attended  by  Capt.  Welles, 
of  the  Connecticut  line,  Lieut.  Hart,  Ensign  M'Cal- 
pin,  Mr.  Buchanan,  Mr.  M'Guyer,  and  twenty-four 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  in  one  barge 
and  two  whale-boats.  The  wind  was  very  fresh  at 
northwest  in  the  night,  and  the  boats  were  forced 
past  the  city,  and  one  of  them  almost  down  to  Sandy 
Hook — one  of  the  boats  put  in  at  Staten  Island:  at 
length  the  three  went  round  to  Brunswick:  from 
whence  the  Major  and  all  the  others,  returned  to 
the  army  on  the  ist  of  January. 

3 1 st. — On  the  evening  of  the  2Qth,  a  party  of  the 
enemy  from  Delancey's  corps,  consisting  of  about  100 
infantry  and  50  horse,  came  up  to  North  Castle, 
where,  after  a  short  halt,  they  proceeded  towards 
Bedford  New  Purchase.  Capt.  Pritchard,  who  was 
posted  at  Bedford  with  a  company  of  Continental 
troops,  and  some  militia,  immediately  advanced  to 
wards  them,  attacked  their  van,  who  retreated,  as 
did  their  main  body.  Capt.  Pritchard  pursued  them 
as  far  as  Young's.  It  was  said  that  one  of  the  enemy 
was  killed  and  several  wounded,  who  were  carried 
off  in  a  wagon.  Four  oxen  and  between  30  and 
40  sheep  were  retaken — eight  or  ten  head  of  cattle 
were  driven  off:  the  Captain  sustained  no  injury. 


jAN.i78i]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  283 

This  day  the  enemy  were  out  again:  Col.  Hull 
immediately  marched  down  with  his  whole  force  to 
meet  them;  by  his  vigilance  they  were  prevented 
from  doing  any  mischief,  and  on  his  advance,  retired 
towards  the  saw-pits. 

1781.  January  1st. — The  Pennsylvania  line  mu 
tinied  almost  to  a  man,  seized  the  artillery,  broke 
open  the  magazines  of  ammunition  and  provisions, 
took  out  what  they  judged  necessary,  and  took  up 
their  line  of  march.  The  officers  exerted  them 
selves,  both  by  threats  and  persuasion,  to  reduce  them 
to  order;  but  all  was  in  vain.  They  were  told  that 
the  enemy  might  take  the  advantage  of  their  conduct, 
and  come  out — they  answered,  that  if  the  enemy 
came  out,  they  would  immediately  put  themselves 
under  the  command  of  their  officers,  and  fight  them; 
but  that  in  any  other  case  they  would  not  be  com 
manded.  They  took  Gen.  Wayne's  horses  out  of 
his  stable,  and  put  them  to  draw  the  field-pieces, 
At  night  they  encamped,  posting  out  pickets,  guards, 
and  planting  sentinels  in  a  very  regular  manner. 
An  alarm  was  given  to  the  country  by  firing  the 
beacons,  &c.  and  the  militia  were  assembling.  The 
reasons  given  for  the  revolt  were  the  intolerable 
sufferings  of  the  army — the  want  of  pay,  of  which 
1 1  months  was  due — the  want  of  clothing,  many  of 
the  troops  being  almost  naked — the  want  of  provis 
ions,  and  that  many  of  them  were  held  beyond  the 
term  of  their  enlistment.  They  directed  their  march 
towards  Philadelphia,  determined  to  demand  redress 
of  their  grievances  of  Congress. 

7th. — Maj.  Gen.  Knox  was  sent  off  by  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief  to  the  eastern  States,  to  represent 
the  alarming  situation  and  sufferings  of  the  army. 

8th. — Major  Throop,  with  100  men,  was  sent 
towards  Pompton,  in  the  Jerseys,  to  cover  the  public 


284  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  QAN.  1781 

stores,  at  Ringwood.     In  the  afternoon,  169  barrels 
of  flour  arrived  at  the  Point. 

nth. — His  Excellency  the  Commander  in  Chief 
came  down  to  West  Point,  when  a  Council  of  War 
was  held  at  our  General's  quarters,  in  which  all  the 
General  Officers  on  the  ground,  and  all  the  Colonels 
and  commanding  officers  of  regiments  sat,  to  con 
sider  what  measures  were  necessary  to  be  adopted, 
with  respect  to  the  Pennsylvania  line.  After  the 
Council,  by  order  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  our 
General  issued  orders  for  the  forming  of  five  bat 
talions,  by  detachment  from  the  several  lines,  to  be 
held  in  the  most  perfect  readiness  to  march  on  the 
shortest  notice,  with  four  days'  provisions  cooked. 
The  mutineers  remained  on  the  heights  of  Prince 
ton,  and  two  emissaries  were  sent  out  to  them  from 
the  enemy,  with  offers,  in  writing,  promising  to  re 
dress  their  grievances,  by  discharging  them  from 
their  enlistments,  paying  all  their  arrearages  of  pay 
and  depreciation,  and  exempting  them  from  serving 
in  the  British  army,  if  they  should  choose  it.  The 
mutineers  nobly  disdained  these  offers,  and  gave  up 
the  emissaries  and  their  papers:  they  were  tried,  and 
hanged  as  spies;  the  one  was  an  inhabitant  of  New 
Jersey,  the  other  was  a  British  Sergeant.  Gen.  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  and  Gen.  Knyphausen  were  said  to 
have  been  on  Staten  Island.  The  State  appointed 
a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  grounds  of  the  com 
plaints  of  the  mutineers,  and  to  redress  such  as  ap- 
jfeared  to  have  foundation:  this  brought  the  business 
to  a  close.  A  number  of  the  soldiers  were  discharged, 
the  rest  returned  to  their  duty. 

Accounts  were  received  from  the  southward  that 
the  American  army  in  that  quarter  were  in  a  most 
miserable  condition,  on  account  of  clothing  and 
provisions,  and  that  their  sufferings  were  greater  than 


jAN.i78i]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  285 

those  experienced  by  the  main  army.  These  suffer 
ings  of  the  army  were  rendered  the  keener,  by  the 
return  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  from  furlough,  who 
had  been  in  the  great  seaport  towns,  where  every 
necessary  and  luxury  of  life  were  enjoyed  in  the 
greatest  abundance,  many  tables  groaning  under  the 
pressure  of  the  dainties  with  which  they  were  covered. 
Their  liquors  were  not  only  the  best,  but  also  of 
great  variety.  Such  reports  to  men,  standing  sen 
tinel,  as  it  were,  in  the  jaws  of  death,  ill  clad,  cold 
and  hungry,  with  nothing  but  water  oftentimes  to 
drink,  were  trials  almost  too  great  for  human  nature 
to  bear.  The  old  Continental  currency  was  fixed  at 
75  for  one,  at  Philadelphia. 

I3th. — The  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  and  Count 
Deuxponts  visited  West  Point. 

iyth. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  troops 
which  some  time  before  sailed  from  New  York,  were 
in  the  Chesapeake,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Ar 
nold,  and  supposed  to  be  on  a  plundering  expedition. 

The  enemy  at  New  York  removed  the  greater 
part  of  their  shipping  from  the  East  River  round 
into  the  North  River. 

1 8th. — Two  hundred  men,  properly  officered, 
marched  down  to  the  lines,  under  pretence  of  being 
a  relief;  100  men  of  Hazen's  regiment  moved  from 
Fishkill  to  the  village,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery 
from  West  Point.  These  were  intended  for  an  en 
terprise  against  the  enemy. 

igth. — 150  men  from  the  Connecticut  line,  and 
200  from  the  New  Hampshire  line,  were  to  move 
towards  the  lines;  these,  with  those  who  marched 
from  Hazen's  the  day  before,  were  to  form  a  cover 
ing  party  to  the  detachment  under  Lieut.  Col.  Hull, 
who  was  to  make  an  attempt  on  Delancey's  corps. 

2 1  st. — A  letter  was  received  from  Major  Throop, 


286  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [JAN.  1781 

at  Ringwood,  stating,  that  the  evening  before,  the 
Jersey  line,  at  Pompton,  had  revolted,  and  it  was 
supposed  would  be  joined  by  the  other  part  of  the 
line,  who  were  at  Chatham.  Their  intentions  had 
not  been  developed. 

22d. — His  Excellency  Gen.  Washington,  the  Mar 
quis  de  la  Fayette,  and  a  number  of  French  gentle 
men,  visited  the  Point.  The  same  day,  500  rank 
and  file,  properly  officered  from  the  Massachusetts, 
Connecticut,  and  New  Hampshire  lines,  were  de 
tached,  and  ordered  to  march  the  next  day,  under 
the  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Howe,  to  establish  order 
and  discipline  in  the  Jerseys. 

23d. — The  detachment  marched  from  West  Point 
for  the  Jerseys.  The  battalion  from  thence  was  com 
manded  by  Col.  Sprout.  The  troops  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  were  to  cross,  and  join  those  from 
the  Point  at  King's  Ferry:  the  detachment  marched 
in  high  spirits. 

24th. — In  the  morning,  about  sunrise,  a  noise  was 
heard  in  the  air,  resembling  the  firing  of  platoons, 
and  there  were  various  conjectures  respecting  it. 
Intelligence  was  received  that  Gen.  Arnold  had  gone 
up  James  River,  in  Virginia,  and  had  taken  posses 
sion  of  Williamsburg,  and  was  moving  towards 
Richmond;  that  he  met  with  but  little  opposition, 
and  would  probably  plunder  large  quantities  of  to 
bacco  and  other  articles. 

28th. — The  detachment,  under  the  command  of 
Lieut.  Col.  Hull,  returned  from  the  enterprise  against 
the  enemy  at  Morrisania.  The  address  and  gal 
lantry  of  the  officers,  the  bravery  and  patience  of  the 
troops,  exhibited  on  the  occasion,  did  them  much 
honour.  Besides  a  number  of  the  enemy  who  were 
killed,  upwards  of  fifty  were  made  prisoners;  the 
Pontoon  Bridge  was  cut  away,  the  huts  and  forage 


FEB.i78i]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  287 

were  burnt,  and  a  large  number  of  cattle  driven  up. 
Of  the  detachment,  one  Ensign,  one  drummer,  and 
ten  rank  and  file,  were  killed;  one  Captain,  one  Ser 
geant,  and  eleven  rank  and  file  wounded;  six  rank 
and  file  were  missing. 

3 1 st. — Maj.  Gen.  Howe  returned  with  the  de 
tachment  from  the  Jerseys;  order  was  established 
among  the  troops  in  that  quarter:  two  of  the  ring 
leaders  in  the  revolt  were  executed.  It  was  learnt 
that  considerable  damage  was  done  to  the  enemy's 
shipping,  at  New  York,  by  the  high  gusts  of  wind, 
on  the  night  of  the  23d.  It  was  also  said  that  a 
British  74  gun  ship  was  dismasted,  off  New  London; 
another  struck  a  reef,  and  a  third  went  out  to  sea 
with  one  of  her  masts  lost. 

February  1 2th. — The  Duke  de  Lauzun,  Count 
Fersen  and  Col.  Sheldon,  of  the  French  army, 
visited  West  Point. 

I3th. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  on  the  I7th 
ultimo,  an  action  happened  near  Pedee,  in  Carolina, 
between  a  body  of  the  enemy,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Tarleton,  and  a  body  of  about  800  Americans,  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Morgan:  the  enemy  were  to 
tally  routed,  and  pursued  upwards  of  20  miles.  Of 
the  enemy,  10  officers  and  100  rank  and  file  were 
killed,  and  200  wounded;  29  officers  and  500  rank 
and  file  were  taken  prisoners,  with  two  field-pieces, 
2  standards,  800  muskets,  35  wagons,  70  negroes, 
100  dragoon-horses,  one  travelling-forge,  and  all 
their  music.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  not 
more  than  12  killed,  and  60  wounded. 

I4th. — Gen.  Warner  and  Col.  Ashley,  of  Massa 
chusetts,  arrived  at  West  Point,  to  distribute  to  the 
soldiers  of  the  Massachusetts  line  engaged  to  serve 
during  the  war  24  dollars,  in  specie  each,  as  a  gen 
erous  gratuity  from  the  State.  The  most  sensible 


288  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [FEB.i78i 

soldiers  did  not  applaud  this  measure,  as  it  did  not 
assure  to  them  the  full  payment  of  the  wages  due 
to  them,  while  this  boon  increased  the  burden  of 
debt  on  the  State. 

i6th. — Count  de  St.  Maim,  of  the  French  army, 
visited  West  Point.  The  same  day,  orders  were  is 
sued  for  augmenting  the  light  companies  of  all  the 
regiments  at  West  Point,  and  its  dependencies,  to 
50  rank  and  file,  each:  they  were  to  rendezvous, 
the  1 8th  or  iQth,  at  Peekskill. 

1 7th. — The  light  companies  were  formed  into  bat 
talions,  in  the  following  order:  the  eight  eldest  com 
panies  of  the  Massachusetts  line  to  form  a  battalion, 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Vose  and  Maj.  Galvan; 
the  two  youngest  companies  of  that  line,  and  those 
of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  to  form  a  bat 
talion,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Gamat  and  Maj. 
Throop;  those  of  the  New  Hampshire  line,  and  Col. 
Hazen's  regiment,  and  such  others  as  might  be 
joined  to  them,  to  form  a  battalion.  This  appoint 
ment  of  officers  was  declared  to  be  intended  not  to 
affect  the  general  plan  of  arranging  the  light-in 
fantry  for  the  campaign.  The  preceding  morning, 
the  enemy  made  an  excursion  from  Morrisania, 
towards  Bedford,  took  Lieuts.  Carpenter,  Wright 
and  Peacock,  and  five  other  inhabitants,  prisoners; 
burnt  five  houses,  plundered  and  stript  several  other 
inhabitants,  and  returned.  They  were  pursued  by 
Capt.  Pritchard,  but  could  not  be  overtaken. 

1 8th. — The  light  companies  were  inspected.  It 
appeared  that  Admiral  Arbuthnot's  squadron  were 
so  much  damaged,  in  the  storm,  on  the  23d  ult.  as 
to  be  rendered  inferior  to  the  French,  in  these  seas. 

20th. — A  detachment  of  artillery  was  ordered  from 
the  park  to  join  the  light-infantry;  the  whole  were 
to  be  commanded  by  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  and 


MARCH,  1781]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  289 

were  to  march  to  the  southward.  The  same  day, 
six  of  our  guides,  on  a  reconnoitring  party,  towards 
King's  Bridge,  fell  in  with  a  reconnoitring  party  of 
Delancey's  corps:  the  guides  attacked  them,  and  took 
five  prisoners,  all  of  whom  were  wounded. 

24th. — The  detachment  doing  duty  on  the  lines, 
was  reduced  to  50  rank  and  file,  properly  officered. 
Capt.  Paul  Jones,  who  arrived  in  the  Ariel,  at  Phil 
adelphia  on  the  iyth,  in  eight  weeks  from  L'Orient, 
brought  a  large  quantity  of  powder. 

28th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  a  consider 
able  embarkation  of  troops  was  taking  place  at  New 
York — the  inhabitants  and  army  in  some  conster 
nation.  It  was  said  that  a  fleet  of  French  merchant 
men  had  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake;  but  from 
appearances,  there  were  good  grounds  to  suspect  that 
there  was  something  more  than  merchant  ships. 

March  ist. — News  was  received,  that  a  part  of 
the  French  squadron,  at  Newport,  had  sailed  as  far 
as  the  Chesapeake,  where  they  took  the  Romulus,  of 
50  guns,  and  nine  privateers  and  transports;  four 
of  the  latter  they  destroyed,  not  having  spare  men 
to  navigate  them;  but  the  remainder,  with  the  Romu 
lus,  had  safely  arrived  at  Rhode  Island. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2d  of  March,  Gen.  Wash 
ington  set  out  from  New  Windsor,  for  Rhode  Island. 
By  the  last  accounts  from  the  southward,  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  was  advancing  rapidly,  and  Gen.  Greene  re 
treating  moderately.  His  Lordship  had  destroyed 
his  wagons,  and  disengaged  himself  of  encumbrance 
as  much  as  possible. 

3d. — A  Capt.  Simmons,  of  Delancey's  corps,  was 
sent  up  to  West  Point;  he  asserted  to  be  disaffected 
to  the  enemy  on  some  pretences,  and  that  he  had 
resigned  his  commission,  and  deserted  from  them:  he 
was  sent  to  the  Governor  of  the  State. 


290  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  1781 

5th. — Three  prisoners  were  sent  up;  they  were 
taken  by  a  party  of  our  guides,  within  a  small  dis 
tance  of  the  enemy's  post,  No.  8,  near  Morrisania. 

6th  and  yth. — Col.  Vanschaak's  regiment  of  the 
New  York  line  arrived  at  West  Point,  from  Albany. 
The  troops  were  at  this  time  well  supplied  with 
provisions,  but  almost  totally  destitute  of  forage,  and 
subjected  to  great  fatigue  in  obtaining  fuel,  which 
part  of  the  troops  were  obliged  to  bring  on  their 
backs  nearly  a  mile. 

9th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  last  em 
barkation  of  British  troops  sailed  from  New  York 
the  preceding  Wednesday,  said  to  be  six  regiments, 
making  about  3,000  men  in  the  whole.  The  south 
ern  militia  had  been  successful  against  the  Cherokee 
Indians,  and  destroyed  a  number  of  their  towns. 
The  last  advices  from  the  southward  stated  that 
Lord  Cornwallis  had  continued  to  push  rapidly  after 
Gen.  Greene,  who  had  crossed  Dan  River,  and  his 
Lordship  had  come  up  to  it,  and  then  began  to 
retreat;  on  which  Gen.  Greene  recrossed  the  Dan, 
in  order  to  pursue  him,  and  that  the  militia  were 
collecting.  Gen.  Arnold  kept  close  at  Portsmouth; 
Gen.  Muhlenburgh  was  near  him,  with  a  superior 
force,  and  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette  was  as  far  as 
Elk  on  the  3d,  with  the  light-infantry. 

nth. — A  detachment  of  recruits  from  Massa 
chusetts  arrived.  The  same  day,  Capt.  Pray  was 
ordered  to  take  command  of  the  block  house  at 
Dobb's  Ferry,  the  water-guards,  &c. 

On  the  first  of  this  month,  the  Confederation  and 
perpetual  Union  of  the  Thirteen  American  States, 
from  New  Hampshire  to  Georgia,  inclusive,  was 
signed  and  ratified  by  all  the  Delegates  in  Congress. 

On  the  evening  of  the  I2th,  intelligence  was  re 
ceived  from  Capt.  Pray  that  at  about  two  o'clock 


MARCH,  1781]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  291 

in  the  morning,  he  was  alarmed  by  the  firing  of  guns, 
blowing  of  horns,  &c. — that  the  enemy  were  out  on 
both  sides  of  the  river.  In  consequence  of  this  an 
express  was  sent  off  to  Maj.  Maxwell  to  be  on  his 
guard;  and  a  detachment  of  150  men  was  ordered 
to  be  in  readiness  to  march  early  the  next  morning, 
if  it  should  be  necessary  to  cover  him. 

1 3th. — The  intelligence  of  the  enemy  being  out 
on  both  sides  of  the  river,  was  confirmed;  as  to  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  the  enemy  came  out  from  Pau- 
lus  Hook  about  200  strong,  with  two  field-pieces, 
and  had  advanced  within  about  three  miles  of  the 
block-house  at  Dobb's  Ferry.  About  noon,  a  de 
tachment  of  150  men,  under  the  command  of  Maj. 
Graham,  with  one  field-piece,  embarked  on  board 
a  sloop,  and  with  the  gun-boat,  having  one  six  and 
one  three  pounder,  and  a  flat  boat,  fell  down  the 
river  to  King's  Ferry,  where  they  were  ordered  to 
debark,  and  make  a  movement  to  Tappan,  for  the 
relief  of  the  block-house.  The  garrisons  of  the  re 
doubts,  on  the  east  side,  were  doubled. 

I4th. — About  noon,  Maj.  Graham  returned;  he 
had,  with  the  detachment,  embarked  the  preceding 
day,  proceeded  to  King's  Ferry,  disembarked, 
marched  to  Haverstraw,  where  he  met  the  militia 
returning;  when  he  returned  to  the  Ferry,  re-em 
barked,  and  arrived  at  West  Point  about  noon,  hav 
ing  exhibited  a  spirit  and  expedition  that  did  the 
detachment  much  honour. 

The  enemy  were  completely  defeated  in  their  de 
sign  by  the  militia,  who  early  turned  out,  attacked, 
repulsed,  and  pursued  them,  until  they  retook  all 
their  plunder,  except  two  horses,  and  justly  merited 
high  commendation.  The  militia  had  one  man 
wounded;  the  enemy  were  supposed  to  have  had 
several  killed  and  wounded.  The  same  day,  Brig. 


292  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [ 

Gen.  Hand  was  announced,  in  general  orders,  Ad 
jutant-General  of  the  army,  in  the  room  of  Col. 
Scammel,  who  had  discharged  the  duty  of  that  office 
for  some  time  to  great  acceptation.  Col.  Scammel 
joined  his  regiment. 

1 5th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  enemy's 
fleet,  which  sailed  from  New  York  the  preceding 
week,  returned  on  Sunday,  having  found  that  the 
French  fleet  were  on  the  coast;  their  return  occa 
sioned  some  consternation  at  New  York.  The  same 
day,  news  reached  the  army,  that  Brig.  Gen.  Peleg 
Wadsworth,  who  commanded  some  militia  levies  in 
the  eastern  parts  of  Massachusetts,  had  been  sur 
prised  and  taken  prisoner  in  the  night  by  two  British 
officers  and  some  refugees,  at  a  place  called  Camden. 

1 6th. — It  was  learnt  that  the  French  fleet,  with 
troops,  sailed  from  Rhode  Island  on  the  8th;  and  it 
was  said  that  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  with  the  British 
fleet,  came  out  of  Gardiner's  Bay  on  the  loth.  The 
small-pox  at  this  time  made  its  appearance  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  army,  and  several  soldiers  were  taken 
down  with  that  distemper.  The  enemy  who  were 
out  a  day  or  two  before,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hud 
son,  did  no  mischief.  About  this  time,  a  discovery 
was  made  that  a  number  of  persons  at  Stratford, 
Norwalk,  &c.  had  been  secretly  associating  to  sub 
mit  to  the  enemy,  if  a  favourable  opportunity  pre 
sented;  and  to  supply  them  with  provisions,  furnish 
intelligence,  &c. 

1 9th. — Letters  from  Gen.  Greene,  of  the  28th  ult. 
at  High  Rock  Ford,  on  Haw  River,  advised  that 
Lord  Cornwallis  had  retreated  from  Hillsboro,  and 
that  Gen.  Pickens  and  Col.  Lee  had  fallen  in  with 
Col.  Hamilton's  corps,  (rising  of  200)  and  had  killed 
and  taken  almost  every  individual  of  them;  and  that 
several  other  skirmishes  had  happened,  but  nothing 


MARCH,  1781]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  293 

decisive.  Lord  Cornwallis  had  erected  the  royal 
standard  at  Hillsboro,  and  issued  a  vain  proclama 
tion,  as  usual. 

By  accounts  from  New  York,  it  appeared  that  the 
British  had  declared  war  against  the  Dutch,  and  had 
taken  possession  of  St.  Eustatia. 

2Oth. — In  the  afternoon,  Gen.  Washington  ar 
rived  at  head-quarters  at  New  Windsor,  from  the 
eastward. 

2 1  st. — Five  prisoners  of  war  were  sent  to  West 
Point;  they  were  taken  by  some  of  the  light  parties 
below  the  lines;  a  sixth  who  was  taken  was  so  badly 
wounded,  as  to  be  left  behind  for  the  present. 

22d. — Several  resolutions  of  the  State  of  Massa 
chusetts,  in  favour  of  the  line  of  the  army,  and  for 
the  discharge  of  governmental  securities,  were  re 
ceived  at  West  Point. 

23d. — Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  British 
fleet,  which  sailed  from  New  York  some  time  before, 
and  had  been  chased  back  by  the  French  fleet,  sailed 
again  on  the  preceding  Wednesday,  for  the  south 
ward.  It  was  said  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  on 
board,  and  that  Gen.  Knyphausen  was  to  command 
in  his  absence — that  the  enemy  were  collecting  a 
number  of  flat  boats  in  Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek,  near 
Kingsbridge,  and  that  24  were  then  collected — that 
Arnold's  corps  was  under  orders  to  be  in  readiness 
to  man  the  boats.  Two  spies  were  sent  out  of  New 
York,  the  same  day  that  the  fleet  sailed;  they  were 
to  pass,  by  different  routes,  through  the  country  to 
Canada. 

24th. — A  number  of  prisoners  of  war,  who  had 
been  collected  at  West  Point,  were  sent  off,  under 
a  guard  of  60  men,  commanded  by  Capt.  Pope,  to 
Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania. 

28th. — The  New  Hampshire  brigade  were  ordered 


294  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  1781 

to  do  duty  on  the  lines;  and  the  Rhode  Island  regi 
ment  to  return  to  their  quarters  near  Robinson's 
Mills. 

ZQth. — News  was  received  from  Philadelphia  that 
the  French  and  English  fleets  had  had  an  engage 
ment  off  the  Capes  of  Virginia,  but  that  the  issue 
was  not  known.  The  same  day,  intelligence  was 
received  from  New  York,  that  one  of  Admiral  Ar- 
buthnot's  ships  had  returned  to  New  York,  on  Mon 
day,  and  reported  that  there  had  been  an  engage 
ment  between  the  two  fleets,  and  that  it  was  a  drawn 
battle. 

3 1  st. — A  New  York  paper  of  the  28th  was  received, 
in  which  it  was  said  that  an  engagement  between 
the  two  fleets  took  place  on  the  i6th,  off  the  Capes 
of  Virginia,  in  which  several  ships  on  both  sides  re 
ceived  considerable  damage;  and  that  the  British 
had  I  Lieutenant,  2  midshipmen,  and  40  seamen 
killed,  and  80  wounded.  The  French  account  was 
not  greatly  different  from  that  of  the  British,  but 
did  not  mention  the  number  of  killed  or  wounded. 

A  number  of  American  soldiers  who  had  not  had 
the  small-pox  were  collected  and  inoculated. 

April  jd. — Intelligence  was  received  that  a  battle 
had  been  fought  between  Gen.  Greene's  army  and 
that  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  The  action  was  bloody; 
and  although  his  Lordship  may  be  said  to  have 
gained  the  victory,  as  Gen.  Greene  retreated  a  mile 
from  the  field  of  battle,  yet  it  was  a  dear  bought 
victory.  Gen.  Greene  having  lost  his  horses,  4 
pieces  of  cannon  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Some  of  the  British  corps,  and  in  particular  the 
guards,  suffered  much.  This  day,  Capt.  Pray,  of 
the  water-guards,  was  reinforced  with  a  whale-boat, 
a  subaltern,  and  14  men. 

4th. — Gen.  Washington  visited  the  Point.     In  the 


APRIL,  1781]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  295 

afternoon,  2  prisoners  of  war  were  sent  up — they 
were  of  a  party  who  had  crossed  Croton  River,  and 
taken  16  head  of  cattle  and  4  horses.  On  their  re 
turn,  near  Dobb's  Ferry,  they  were  overtaken  by  a 
party  of  the  militia — the  cattle,  &c.  retaken,  and 
two  of  the  party  made  prisoners.  About  this  time, 
the  southern  mail  was  carried  off  between  head 
quarters  and  the  Jerseys.  The  mail  contained  some 
letters  of  importance.  The  troops  which  had  sailed 
from  New  York  arrived  safe  in  the  Chesapeake. 

yth. — Private  intelligence  was  received  that  four 
parties  were  to  be  sent  out — one  to  take  Gen.  Wash 
ington,  another  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  a  third 
the  Governor  of  New  York,  the  object  of  the  fourth 
not  known.  The  same  day,  the  gun-boat  was  or 
dered  to  take  a  station  opposite  Fort  Montgomery; 
additional  guards  to  be  mounted  in  the  night  time, 
and  patrols  to  pass  frequently. 

8th. — The  enemy's  flat  boats,  which  had  been  col 
lected  near  Kingsbridge,  were  removed  down  into 
the  East  River. 

9th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  the  com 
manding  officer  on  the  lines  that  the  enemy  were 
out  towards  White  Plains,  said  to  be  about  90  horse 
and  50  foot. 

loth. — The  great  chain  was  hauled  from  off  the 
beach  near  the  red  house  at  West  Point,  and  towed 
down  to  the  blocks,  in  order  to  its  being  laid  across 
the  river — about  280  men  were  ordered  on  this  duty. 

nth. — The  chain  was  properly  fixed  with  great 
dexterity,  and  fortunately  without  any  accident. 

1 2th. — Our  General  visited  the  patients  who  were 
under  inoculation  with  the  small-pox,  when  500  were 
turned  out  and  drawn  up;  all  of  them  were  then 
under  the  operation,  and  in  a  fine  way.  The  same 
day,  intelligence  was  received  that  the  enemy  were 


296  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  1781 

preparing  for  another  embarkation  at  New  York, 
supposed  for  the  southward. 

i/j-th. — A  groom,  belonging  to  Col.  Gunning  of 
the  8zd  British  regiment,  came  up;  he  deserted  from 
his  master  with  a  very  good  saddle-horse,  which  he 
sold  for  100  dollars  in  specie.  Intelligence  was  re 
ceived  that  the  enemy  had  brought  a  large  number 
of  wagons  across  the  Sound  from  Long  Island,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  grand  forage;  the  covering 
party  to  consist  of  three  or  four  hundred  men  of 
different  corps. 

22d. — Two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars  in 
new  emission  bills  were  brought  to  West  Point,  from 
Boston,  for  the  troops  of  the  Massachusetts  line. 

24th. — Monsieur  Bieville,  Quarter-Master  of  the 
French  army  at  Newport,  arrived  at  head-quarters, 
New  Windsor;  he  came  on  to  view  the  roads,  and 
determine  on  the  best  route,  should  the  French  army 
move  that  way,  and  to  fix  on  proper  places  for 
magazines,  &c. 

26th. — Gen.  Washington  visited  West  Point  with 
Monsieur  Bieville,  &c.  The  next  day,  the  latter  set 
out  on  his  return  to  Rhode  Island,  taking  the  lower 
road  through  Connecticut.  Many  of  the  soldiers, 
who  had  gone  through  the  small-pox,  joined  their 
regiments  the  next  day:  of  500  who  had  been  inocu 
lated,  four  only  had  then  died.  At  this  time,  provi 
sions  were  growing  very  scarce  at  West  Point,  and 
the  prospects  daily  growing  more  alarming.  The 
magazines  in  Forts  Clinton,  Putnam,  and  some  other 
of  the  most  important  works  had  reserves  of  the  best 
provisions,  which  were  not  to  be  touched;  that,  in 
case  the  enemy,  by  any  sudden  movement,  should 
invest  them,  and  cut  off  the  communication  with  the 
country,  the  garrisons  might  be  enabled  to  hold  out, 
until  other  troops,  or  the  militia  of  the  country, 


MAY,  1781]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  297 

could  march  to  the  relief  of  the  besieged;  but  unfor 
tunately,  the  scarcity  of  provisions  had  become  so 
great,  that  even  these  reserves  were  broken  in  upon, 
and  some  of  them  nearly  exhausted;  when,  after 
some  other  representations,  our  General  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  Gen.  Washington: 

WEST  POINT,  May  6,  1781. 
"DEAR  GENERAL, 

"I  AM  honoured  with  yours  of  the  5th  and  6th, 
which  I  shall  duly  attend. 

"I  hoped  I  should  not  have  been  compelled  again 
to  represent  our  situation  on  account  of  provisions; 
but  supplies  of  meat  have  not  arrived — all  the  Irish 
beef  in  the  store  has  been  gone  for  some  days — we 
are  at  last  forced  in  upon  the  reserves;  that  in  Fort 
Clinton  has  all  been  taken  out  this  day — the  pork 
which  was  ordered  to  be  reserved  is  all  issued,  except 
about  1 6  barrels — the  boats  are  now  up  from  below 
for  provisions,  with  representations  that  they  are  out; 
the  reserves  will  be  gone  in  a  few  days  if  relief  does 
not  arrive,  and  hunger  must  inevitably  disperse  the 
troops.  If  the  authority  of  our  country  will  not 
order  on  supplies,  I  will  struggle  to  the  last  moment 
to  maintain  the  post;  but  regard  to  my  own  character 
compels  me  to  be  thus  explicit — that  if  any  ill  con 
sequences  happen  to  this  post,  or  its  dependencies, 
through  want  of  provisions,  I  shall  not  hold  myself 
accountable  for  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

(Signed)  W.  HEATH. 

His  Excellency  Gen.  WASHINGTON." 

To  which  the  Commander  in  Chief  wrote  the 
following  answer: 


298  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  1781 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEW  WINDSOR, 

May  8th,   1781. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"DISTRESSED  beyond  expression  at  the  present 
situation  and  future  prospects  of  the  army,  with  re 
gard  to  provisions,  and  convinced  with  you,  that, 
unless  an  immediate  and  regular  supply  can  be  ob 
tained,  the  most  dangerous  consequences  are  to  be 
apprehended — I  have  determined  to  make  one  great 
effort  more  on  the  subject,  and  must  request  that  you 
will  second  and  enforce  my  representations  to,  and 
requisitions  upon  the  New  England  States,  by  your 
personal  application  to  the  several  Executives,  and 
even  Assemblies,  if  sitting,  as  I  suppose  they  will  be 
in  the  course  of  this  month. 

"From  your  intimate  knowledge  of  our  embar 
rassed  and  distressed  circumstances,  and  great  per 
sonal  influence  with  the  eastern  States,  I  am  induced 
to  commit  the  execution  of  this  interesting  and  im 
portant  business  to  you,  and  wish  you  to  set  out  on 
this  mission  as  early  as  may  be  convenient. 

(Signed)  GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

On  the  next  day,  our  General  received  the  follow 
ing  letter  of  instructions,  from  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  viz.: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEW  WINDSOR, 

May  gth9  1781. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"YOU  will  be  pleased  to  proceed  immediately  to 
the  several  eastern  States,  with  the  dispatches  ad 
dressed  to  the  Governors  of  Connecticut,  Rhode 
Island,  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  the  President  of 
New  Hampshire,  on  the  subject  of  supplies  for  the 
army.  The  present  critical  and  alarming  situation 


MAY,i78i]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  299 

of  our  troops  and  garrisons,  for  the  want  of  provis 
ions,  is  (from  the  nature  of  your  command)  so  per 
fectly  known  to  you,  and  your  personal  influence 
with  the  New  England  States  is  so  considerable,  that 
I  could  not  hesitate  to  commit  to  you  a  negotiation, 
on  the  success  of  which,  the  very  existence  of  the 
army  depends. 

"The  great  objects  of  your  attention  and  mission, 
are,  ist — An  immediate  supply  of  beef  cattle.  2d — 
The  transportation  of  all  the  salted  provisions  in  the 
western  parts  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts;  and 
3d — The  establishment  of  a  regular,  systematic,  effec 
tual  plan,  for  feeding  the  army  through  the  cam 
paign.  Unless  the  two  former  are  effected,  the  gar 
rison  of  Fort  Schuyler  must  inevitably,  that  of  West 
Point  may  probably,  fall,  and  the  whole  army  be 
disbanded:  without  the  latter,  the  same  perplexing 
wants,  irregularities  and  distress,  which  we  have  so 
often  experienced,  will  incessantly  occur,  with  event 
ual  far  greater  evils,  if  not  final  ruin. 

"With  regard  to  the  particular  mode  of  obtaining 
and  transporting  supplies,  I  will  not  presume  to  dic 
tate;  but  something  must  now  be  attempted  on  the 
spur  of  the  occasion.  I  would  suggest  whether  it 
would  not  be  expedient  for  a  Committee  from  the 
several  States,  (consisting  of  a  few  active,  sensible 
men)  to  meet  at  some  convenient  place,  in  order  to 
make  out,  upon  a  uniform  and  great  scale,  all  the 
arrangements  respecting  supplies  and  transportation 
for  the  campaign.  In  the  mean  time,  to  avoid  the 
impending  dissolution  of  the  army,  the  States  must 
individually  comply  precisely  with  the  requisitions 
of  the  Quarter-Master  and  Commissary  upon  them. 

"As  the  salted  provisions  which  have  been  put  up 
for  the  public,  in  the  eastern  States,  (except  in  the 
western  parts  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts) 


300  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,  1781 

cannot  at  present  be  transported  to  the  army,  you  will 
obtain  accurate  official  returns  of  the  quantity  that  has 
been  procured  in  the  respective  States,  at  what  places, 
and  in  whose  charge  it  actually  is;  and  if  it  should 
not  all  be  collected  and  lodged  in  the  deposits  that 
have  been  pointed  out,  you  will  urge  this  imme 
diately  to  be  done;  and  that  the  provisions  should 
be  repacked,  stored,  and  taken  care  of  in  such  a  man 
ner  as  to  prevent  the  hazard  of  its  being  tainted  or 
lost  by  the  approaching  hot  season. 

"I  omit  entering  into  the  detail  of  particulars, 
which  it  may  be  necessary  to  state  to  the  respective 
Executives,  (or  Legislatures,  if  in  sitting)  to  enforce 
the  present  requisition,  because  you  are  as  well  ac 
quainted  with  the  circumstances  of  our  distress,  the 
prospects  before  us,  and  the  only  resources  from 
whence  we  can  derive  relief,  as  it  is  possible  for  you 
to  be.  Previous  to  your  departure,  you  will  obtain 
from  the  Quarter-Master-General  and  Commissary 
with  the  army,  the  proper  estimates  of  supplies  and 
transportation  to  be  required  of  the  several  States 
together  with  all  the  light  and  information  concern 
ing  their  department,  which  may  be  requisite  to 
transact  the  business  committed  to  you. 

"After  having  delivered  the  dispatches  with  which 
you  are  charged,  and  made  such  further  representa 
tions  as  you  may  judge  necessary,  you  will  not  cease 
your  applications  and  importunities,  until  you  are 
informed  officially,  whether  effectual  measures  are  or 
will  be  taken,  to  prevent  the  army  from  starving  and 
disbanding.  What  supplies  in  general,  and  particu 
larly  of  beef  cattle,  may  certainly  be  depended  upon, 
to  be  delivered  at  fixed  regular  periods  (monthly  or 
weekly)  at  the  army,  during  the  whole  campaign. 
When  you  shall  have  seen  this  business  put  upon  the 
surest  footing  and  in  the  best  train  of  execution, 


MAY,i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  301 

(which  you  will  endeavour  to  have  effected  as  early 
as  possible)  you  will  be  pleased  to  report  to  me,  with 
out  delay,  the  success  of  your  proceedings. 

"  I  heartily  wish  you  success  and  a  pleasant  jour 
ney,  and  am,  &c. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

"P.  S.  I  wish  attention  may  be  paid  to  learn 
what  quantity  of  rum  is  in  store,  at  what  places,  and 
in  what  manner  it  may  be  forwarded.  In  transpor 
tation,  the  arrangements  should  be  made  with  the 
States,  so  as  to  have  the  articles  brought  entirely 
through  to  the  army,  without  having  them  stopped 
on  the  road.  You  will  also  be  pleased  to  urge  the 
forwarding  the  summer  clothing.  G.  W. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

During  the  month  of  April,  a  large  number  of 
recruits  from  the  eastern  States,  to  fill  up  their  re 
spective  battalions,  arrived  at  West  Point. 

Qth. — The  Commander  in  Chief  visited  West 
Point. 

nth. — In  the  morning,  our  General  left  West 
Point,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  to  New  Windsor, 
where  he  received  from  the  Commander  in  Chief  the 
dispatches  addressed  to  the  several  Executives  of  the 
New  England  States;  and  in  the  afternoon  crossed 
the  Hudson,  on  his  journey  eastward.  On  his  reach 
ing  Fishkill,  he  found  that  Governor  Clinton,  of 
New  York,  was  making  every  exertion  in  his  power 
for  the  relief  of  the  army — that  he  had  issued  im 
press  warrants  to  take  flour  and  other  provisions 
where  they  could  be  found,  &c. 

1 4th. — He  arrived  at  Hartford,  where  he  found 
the  Legislature  in  session.  The  dispatches  to  Gov 
ernor  Trumbull  were  immediately  presented  to  him, 
with  an  earnest  request  for  speedy  relief.  This  ven- 


302  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS 

arable  patriot  gave  assurance  of  his  immediate  atten 
tion  and  exertions,  and  accordingly  laid  the  dispatches 
from  Gen.  Washington  before  the  Legislature,  who 
also  discovered  the  same  noble  patriotism.  They 
inquired  into  the  state  of  their  treasury,  and  finding 
it  was  destitute  of  money,  except  a  sum  appropriated 
to  another  purpose,  they  ordered  this  money  to  be 
taken,  and  directed  Col.  Champion,  one  of  their 
number,  (a  gentleman  remarkable  for  his  knowledge 
in  the  state  of  provisions  in  all  the  towns,  skill  in 
purchasing,  and  expedition  in  forwarding)  imme 
diately  to  purchase  and  forward  on  to  the  army  160 
head  of  beef  cattle,  and  1,000  barrels  of  salted  pro 
visions  from  their  stores;  and  resolved  to  make  every 
other  exertion  in  their  power,  to  comply  with  the 
requisitions  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  as  they 
respected  both  fresh  and  salted  provisions,  by  ap 
pointing  a  Committee  for  a  general  arrangement  of 
supplies. 

1 6th. — Our  General  left  Hartford,  and  on  the  i8th 
reached  Greenwich,  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island, 
where  he  waited  upon  Gov.  Greene,  and  presented 
the  dispatches  from  Gen.  Washington.  The  Legis 
lature  of  the  State  were  not  then  in  session;  but  Gov. 
Greene  made  the  most  satisfactory  assurances  that 
the  State  of  Rhode  Island  would  adopt  every  meas 
ure  recommended  by  the  Commander  in  Chief.  Our 
General  left  Greenwich  the  same  day,  and  arrived 
at  his  house  in  Roxbury  on  the  evening  of  the  iQth, 
and  the  next  day  waited  upon  Gov.  Hancock  at 
Boston,  and  presented  the  dispatches  with  which  he 
was  charged.  The  new  Legislature  of  Massachu 
setts  were  to  convene  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  the 
month.  Gov.  Hancock  gave  the  fullest  assurances, 
that  in  the  interim  the  Executive  would  do  every 
thing  in  its  power  for  the  immediate  relief  of  the 


MAY,i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  303 

army,  by  directing  the  several  contractors  of  pro 
visions  in  the  State  to  forward  all  in  their  power  with 
the  utmost  expedition. 

2 1 st. — Intelligence  was  received  at  Boston  that 
the  State  ship-of-war,  the  Protector,  of  28  guns, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Williams,  had  been  taken  and 
carried  into  New  York. 

The  next  day,  intelligence  was  received,  that  on 
the  I3th,  Col.  Greene,  of  the  Rhode  Island  regiment, 
who  was  doing  duty  on  the  lines  of  the  American 
army,  was  surprised  by  a  body  of  the  enemy's  horse, 
supposed  to  be  about  150  dragoons,  and  that  the 
Colonel,  Maj.  Flagg,  two  subalterns,  and  27  men 
were  killed,  and  several  wounded.  Col.  Greene  was 
a  brave  and  intrepid  officer,  and  his  loss  was  much 
regretted.  The  Colonel  had  taken  post  above  and 
near  to  Croton  River,  at  a  place  where  the  river  was 
fordable,  to  prevent  the  enemy  passing  up  by  this 
ford  to  ravage  the  country.  He  had  practised  the 
greatest  vigilance  in  guarding  this  ford  in  the  night 
time,  taking  off  the  guards  after  sunrise,  appre 
hending  that  the  enemy  would  never  presume  to 
cross  the  river  in  the  day  time;  but  the  enemy,  hav 
ing  learnt  his  mode  of  doing  duty,  on  the  morning 
of  the  1 3th  effected  his  overthrow,  by  crossing  the 
ford  soon  after  the  guards  had  come  off,  and  sur 
rounding  their  quarters  before  they  had  an  idea  of 
any  enemy  being  near  them.  In  this  situation,  the 
utmost  exertion  could  not  then  avail  them. 

23d. — Our  General  left  Roxbury  on  his  way  to 
New  Hampshire,  arrived  at  Exeter  on  the  evening 
of  the  24th,  and  delivered  to  the  Honourable  Mr. 
Weare  the  dispatches  addressed  to  him.  The  Leg 
islature  of  New  Hampshire  was  not  then  in  session. 
The  next  day,  he  had  an  interview  with  the  Hon 
ourable  President  and  the  Council  of  Safety,  when 


3o4  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [JUNE,  I78i 

such  representations,  (in  addition  to  the  requisitions 
of  the  Commander  in  Chief)  were  made  to  them, 
as  the  exigencies  of  the  case  required;  and  the  fullest 
assurances  were  received  that  every  aid  in  the  power 
of  the  State  should  be  afforded. 

26th. — Our  General  left  Exeter  on  his  return,  and 
on  the  2yth  arrived  at  his  house  in  Roxbury.  On 
the  ZQth,  he  again  waited  on  Gov.  Hancock,  and 
requested  that  the  requisitions  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief  of  the  army  might  be  predominant  in  all  the 
public  objects. 

The  3Oth  was  the  General  Election  day  in  Massa 
chusetts;  and  it  appeared  that  his  Excellency  John 
Hancock  was  re-elected  Governor,  who,  as  soon  as 
the  two  Houses  were  organized,  laid  the  requisitions 
of  Gen.  Washington  before  them. 

June  2d. — Our  General  was  heard  before  a  Com 
mittee  of  both  Houses  on  the  subject  of  his  mission. 
The  zeal  and  patriotism  of  the  several  Executives  and 
Legislatures  of  the  New  England  States  to  relieve 
and  amply  supply  the  army  with  provisions  were  so 
conspicuous  on  this  occasion  that  it  is  not  possible  to 
say  which  or  whether  any  one  of  them  exceeded  the 
other;  each  was  for  making  every  exertion  in  its 
power;  and,  to  ensure  success  to  their  resolutions, 
they  all  fell  in  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief,  and  appointed  committees  to  meet 
in  convention  to  digest  and  systematize  the  business. 
The  committees  met  accordingly  at  Providence,  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  were  so  fortunate  in  their  ar 
rangements  that  the  most  ample  supplies  of  meat 
were  afterwards  furnished  for  the  main  army;  and  a 
surplus  of  100  head  of  beef  cattle  weekly  sent  on 
after  Gen.  Washington  towards  Virginia,  until  he 
ordered  a  discontinuance  of  that  supply,  as  will  ap 
pear  in  the  sequel.  While  the  New  England  States 


juNE,i78i]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  305 

were  thus  intent  in  supplying  meat  for  the  army,  the 
State  of  New  York  was  equally  assiduous  in  furnish 
ing  flour  and  forage. 

4th. — Intelligence  was  received  by  a  vessel  from 
the  West  Indies  that  the  Count  de  Grasse,  with  a 
French  fleet  of  upwards  of  20  sail  of  the  line,  had 
arrived  in  that  quarter.  The  same  day,  there  was  a 
confirmation  of  this  news,  and  that  the  fleet,  with 
troops  on  board,  was  seen  coming  this  way. 

The  same  day,  intelligence  was  received  that  there 
had  been  an  action  at  the  southward  between  Gen. 
Greene  and  the  British  army  in  that  quarter.  Gen. 
Greene,  having  reconnoitred  Camden,  did  not 
think  it  expedient  to  storm  the  enemy's  works,  but 
retired  a  little  back,  with  a  view  to  draw  the  enemy 
out;  in  this  he  succeeded,  and  an  action  commenced. 
The  Maryland  troops  being  attacked  under  some 
disadvantage,  an  attempt  was  made  to  change  their 
position;  this  was  unfortunately  taken  by  Gen. 
Greene's  army  for  a  retreat,  and  the  whole  army 
retreated  accordingly.  Gen.  Greene  had  17  men 
killed;  his  retreat  was  about  2  or  3  miles,  and  the 
troops  were  in  high  spirits.  It  is  always  a  danger 
ous  manoeuvre  to  change  a  position  in  the  face  of 
an  enemy;  but  necessity  sometimes  requires  it.* 

Gen.  Phillips,  of  the  British  army,  had  died  in 
Virginia  of  a  fever. 

6th. — The  Continental  frigate,  Alliance,  arrived 
in  Boston  harbour  from  France.  The  Alliance  had 
taken  6  prizes:  2  West  Indiamen,  2  sloops  of  war, 
and  2  privateers.  In  the  engagement  with  the  sloops 
of  war,  both  of  which  engaged  the  Alliance  in  a  calm, 
Capt.  Barry  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder  by  a 
grape-shot;  the  Captain  of  Marines,  and  8  or  9  men 
killed,  and  about  20  wounded. 

*  See  Appendix  XXXI. 


3o6  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         QUNE,  1781 

Qth. — Orders  came  on  from  Gen.  Washington  to 
forward  with  all  possible  dispatch  all  the  cannon, 
mortars,  powder,  shot,  shells,  and  other  military 
stores  belonging  to  the  United  States,  which  were 
then  in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  and  also 
requesting  the  loan  of  some  heavy  artillery,  powder, 
&c.  of  the  State.  The  most  spirited  measures  were 
taken  for  completing  the  Continental  battalions,  and 
raising  a  body  of  militia  to  be  in  readiness  to  march 
when  called  for. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Massachusetts,  in  their 
session  at  this  time,  passed  resolutions  for  settling 
with  the  troops  of  their  line  to  the  last  of  the  year 
1780,  making  good  the  depreciation  of  their  pay,  &c. 

2 1  st. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
had  formed  a  junction  of  their  principal  force  at  the 
southward  in  Virginia,  by  which  means  Gen.  Greene 
would  deprive  them  of  all  their  posts  in  South  Caro 
lina;  that  on  the  loth  of  May,  Lord  Rawdon  was 
compelled  to  evacuate  Camden  with  precipitation, 
leaving  behind  him  3  of  his  officers  and  58  privates, 
who  had  been  dangerously  wounded,  and  were  un 
able  to  be  removed.  He  burnt  part  of  the  town, 
and  some  of  his  baggage.  On  the  nth  of  the  same 
month,  the  strong  post  of  Orangeburg  surrendered 
to  Gen.  Sumter;  a  Colonel,  several  officers,  and 
upwards  of  80  men  were  made  prisoners.  On  the 
1 2th,  the  garrison  of  Fort  Mott,  consisting  of  7 
officers,  12  non-commissioned  officers,  and  165  pri 
vates,  surrendered  by  capitulation  to  Gen.  Marion. 
On  the  1 5th,  Fort  Granby  capitulated  to  Lieut.  Col. 
Lee;  i  Lieut.  Colonel,  2  Majors,  6  Captains,  6  Lieu 
tenants,  3  Ensigns,  I  Surgeon,  2  Sergeant-Majors, 
17  Sergeants,  9  Corporals,  and  305  privates  surren 
dered;  large  quantities  of  provisions,  and  some  mili 
tary  stores  were  taken  at  some  of  the  posts.  At  the 


juLY,i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  307 

same  time,  the  posts  of  Augusta  and  Ninety-six  were 
invested  by  Gen.  Pickens,  and  Gen.  Greene  on  the 
1 6th  had  determined  to  march  the  army  to  expedite 
their  reduction. 

23d. — Intelligence  was  received  that  some  time 
before,  the  barracks  in  Fort  Schuyler  had  taken  fire, 
and  were  burnt  down;  and  that  afterwards  the  fort 
was  dismantled  and  evacuated.  The  same  day  it 
was  reported  that  the  Spaniards  had  taken  Pensa- 
cola  from  the  British.  The  marine  mortars,  and  a 
number  of  heavy  iron  cannon,  18  and  24  pounders, 
were  removing  from  Boston  to  the  North  River, 
New  York.  The  British  forces  in  Virginia,  after 
their  junction,  were  said  to  be  about  6,000.  The 
invalids,  who  had  been  doing  duty  in  Boston,  re 
ceived  orders  to  march  to  West  Point,  where  the 
whole  corps  was  to  be  collected,  and  compose  a  part 
of  the  garrison  of  that  post. 

28th. — His  Excellency  the  Commander  in  Chief 
was  pleased  to  communicate  to  our  General  that  in 
the  arrangement  of  the  main  army,  the  command  of 
the  right  wing  had  been  assigned  to  him. 

2Qth. — A  vessel  arrived  at  Boston  from  Cadiz 
with  a  quantity  of  clothing  for  the  United  States. 
This  vessel  brought  an  account  that  the  British  had 
again  succoured  the  garrison  of  Gibraltar,  but  that 
the  Spaniards  continued  the  siege. 

30th. — His  most  Christian  Majesty's  frigate,  the 
Servilante,  arrived  in  Boston  harbour  from  the  West 
Indies;  on  her  passage  had  a  warm  engagement  with 
a  British  ship-of-war,  when  some  damage  was  sus 
tained  on  both  sides.  This  frigate  brought  news, 
that  the  French  had  taken  the  island  of  Tobago,  and 
had  blocked  up  Admiral  Rodney's  fleet  at  Barbadoes. 

July  4th  was  celebrated  at  Boston,  being  the  anni 
versary  of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence. 


3o8  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JULY,  1781 

6th. — Information  was  received  that  Gen.  Wash 
ington  had  ordered  the  American  troops  from  their 
several  cantonments,  and  that  the  whole  had  assem 
bled,  and  were  encamped  near  Peekskill. 

Some  of  the  enemy's  cruisers  from  Penobscot  were 
cruising  in  the  Bay,  where  they  took  several  vessels; 
one  within  a  league  of  the  light-house. 

nth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  there  had 
been  a  skirmish  between  the  Americans  and  British 
between  White  Plains  and  Kingsbridge,  but  no 
particulars  were  received. 

1 2th. — Our  General  set  out  from  his  house  in 
Roxbury  for  the  army. 

iQth. — The  enemy's  shipping,  which  were  up  the 
North  River,  ran  down;  there  was  a  brisk  cannonade 
at  Dobb's  Ferry. 

2 1 st. — The  American  field  artillery,  which  had  for 
some  days  been  on  board  vessels  in  the  North  River, 
proceeded  downwards  to  the  nearest  landing  to  the 
army. 

When  the  enemy's  shipping  passed  Dobb's  Ferry, 
on  the  iQth,  a  box  of  powder  on  board  the  Savage 
ship-of-war  took  fire,  supposed  by  the  bursting  of  a 
howitzer  shell,  on  which  a  number  of  the  crew,  ap 
prehending  that  the  ship  would  blow  up,  jumped 
overboard  into  the  river.  An  American,  who  was 
a  prisoner  on  board,  jumped  overboard  at  the  same 
time,  and  swam  on  shore,  relating  what  had  hap 
pened;  he  also  reported  that  the  Savage  was  several 
times  hulled  by  our  shot,  and  must  have  suffered 
considerable  loss.  The  late  skirmish  near  Kings- 
bridge  was  occasioned  by  the  American  army's  mov 
ing  down,  in  order  to  give  the  French  officers  a  view 
of  the  British  out-posts  near  the  bridge.  A  number 
of  Americans  were  killed  and  wounded  by  long  shot 


Auo.i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  309 

from  the  yagers  of  the  enemy,  who  kept  up  a  pop 
ping  fire  whenever  they  could  reach  our  troops. 

2yth. — Our  General  arrived  at  the  army  which 
was  encamped  at  Phillipseburg,  in  two  lines;  the 
park  of  artillery  in  the  centre  of  the  second  line. 
Accounts  had  been  received  from  the  southward 
that  the  enemy  had  no  footing  in  Georgia,  except 
Savannah,  nor  in  South  Carolina,  except  Charleston. 
The  position  which  the  American  army  now  occu 
pied  was  between  the  lines  the  preceding  campaigns; 
consequently  the  roads  and  commons,  as  well  as  the 
fields  and  pastures,  were  covered  with  grass;  while 
the  many  deserted  houses  and  ruined  fences  depicted 
the  horrid  devastations  of  war.  The  French  army, 
under  Gen.  Rochambeau,  was  encamped  at  a  small 
distance,  on  the  left  of  the  Americans,  in  one  line. 

2Qth. — A  forage  was  made  towards  Phillipse's,  con 
ducted  by  Col.  Scammel.  It  was  said  that  some  of 
the  British  troops  had  returned  from  the  southward 
to  New  York;  and  that  those  in  Virginia  were  col 
lected  at  Portsmouth. 

August. — On  the  night  of  the  3d,  about  II  o'clock, 
the  British  and  American  guard-boats  met  in  the 
river  near  Dobb's  Ferry,  when  a  considerable  firing 
ensued;  we  had  one  man  badly  wounded,  who  died 
soon  after.  The  damage  sustained  by  the  enemy  was 
not  known. 

6th. — The  Commander  in  Chief,  attended  by  a 
number  of  the  general  officers,  reconnoitred  towards 
Kingsbridge,  covered  by  strong  detachments  of 
cavalry  and  infantry.  Three  ships  and  a  galley  lay 
in  the  river  between  Fort  Washington  and  Spuyten 
Duyvil  Creek.  The  enemy  did  not  make  any  move 
ments.  The  morning  of  the  yth,  about  2  o'clock, 
the  army  was  awakened  by  the  firing  of  cannon  at 
Dobb's  Ferry;  it  appeared  that  2  of  the  enemy's 


310  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1781 

gun-boats  had  come  up  as  high  as  the  ferry,  prob 
ably  to  endeavour  to  seize  some  vessels  or  boats;  on 
finding  that  they  were  discovered,  they  fired  four 
cannon,  but  to  no  effect.  Four  cannon  were  dis 
charged  at  the  boats  from  the  battery,  on  which  they 
went  down  the  river.  Two  days  before,  Delancey's 
corps  ventured  as  far  above  Kingsbridge,  as 
Phillipse's. 

News  was  received,  that  the  great  French  finan 
cier,  Neckar,  had  resigned,  and  that  Monsieur  Fleury 
had  been  appointed  in  his  room. 

Capt.  Saltonstall,  formerly  of  the  frigate  Warren, 
who  was  dismissed  the  service  on  account  of  his 
conduct  in  the  Penobscot  expedition,  about  this  time 
behaved  most  gallantly  in  a  privateer,  on  a  cruise 
against  the  enemy. 

The  American  army  at  this  time  continued  in  the 
same  position  at  Phillipseburg.  The  Connecticut 
and  Rhode  Island  lines,  and  6  regiments  of  the 
Massachusetts  line,  composed  the  front  line;  the 
New  Hampshire  line,  four  regiments  of  Massachu 
setts,  Crane's  and  Lamb's  regiments  of  artillery, 
with  the  sappers  and  miners,  the  second  line;  the 
right  wing  commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Heath,  the 
left  wing  by  Maj.  Gen.  Lord  Sterling;  the  advance 
of  the  American  army  on  a  height  a  little  advanced 
of  Dobb's  Ferry,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Scam- 
mel,  and  Sheldon's  dragoons  near  Dobb's  Ferry. 
The  French  army  in  one  line  on  the  left  of  the 
Americans,  with  their  legion  under  the  Duke  de 
Lauzun,  at  White  Plains.  Gen.  Waterbury,  with 
the  militia  under  his  command,  towards  New  Ro- 
chelie.  The  camps  at  this  time  swarmed  with  flies, 
which  were  very  troublesome. 

nth. — Robert  Morris,  Esq.  the  American  finan 
cier,  and  Richard  Peters,  Esq.  one  of  the  members 


AuG.i78i]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  311 

of  the  Board  of  War,  visited  the  army.  The  same 
day,  the  advance  of  the  army  took  a  position  a  little 
more  to  the  northward,  and  the  dragoons  were  added 
to  Col.  Scammers  command.  A  fleet  arrived  at 
New  York  from  England;  they  brought  over  be 
tween  2  and  3,000  Hessian  recruits. 

I4th. — Col.  Hazen's  and  Col.  Vanschaak's  reg 
iments  joined  the  army.  A  French  frigate  arrived 
about  this  time  at  Rhode  Island,  supposed  to  have 
brought  news  of  the  approach  of  the  Count  de  Grasse. 
A  few  nights  before,  Gen.  Schuyler  came  very  near 
being  taken  and  carried  off  from  his  house  in  Albany.* 

In  the  general  orders  of  the  I5th,  the  army  was 
directed  to  hold  itself  in  the  most  perfect  readiness 
to  march  on  the  shortest  notice. 

i6th. — It  was  whispered  that  the  Count  de  Grasse, 
with  28  sail  of  the  line,  besides  frigates,  with  a  num 
ber  of  land  forces  on  board,  might  soon  be  expected 
on  our  coast,  and  these,  with  the  squadron  under  the 
command  of  the  Chevalier  de  Barras,  would  make  a 
fleet  of  36  sail  of  the  line,  a  force  probably  superior 
to  any  the  British  could  assemble  in  these  seas. 

Under  prospects  so  flattering,  the  Commander  in 
Chief  determined  to  strike  the  enemy  a  capital  blow 
in  some  quarter.  To  strike  at  their  very  root  in 
New  York,  was  a  most  desirable  object;  but  the 
situation  of  New  York  with  Long  Island,  and  Staten 
Island,  and  the  adjacent  country,  was  such,  as  would 
require  a  very  large  army  to  effect  a  complete  inves 
titure,  and  give  a  proper  security  against  the  sallies 
of  the  enemy,  which,  from  situation,  might  be  easily 
and  frequently  made — that  such  an  army  must  be 
composed,  in  a  very  considerable  degree,  of  militia, 
to  whom  the  continuing  long  in  camp  had  often 
been  found  disagreeable;  and  the  French  were  not 

*  See  Appendix  XXXII. 


3i2  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1781 

without  apprehensions  that  if  their  fleet  entered  the 
harbour  of  New  York,  and  became  warmly  engaged 
with  the  British  ships  and  batteries,  in  the  course  of 
those  manoeuvres,  which  it  might  be  necessary  to 
make,  some  of  their  heavy  ships,  through  the  want  of 
a  competent  knowledge  of  all  parts  of  the  bay,  might 
get  aground,  or  be  damaged;  while  all  these  incon 
veniences  would  be  avoided,  in  case  Lord  Cornwallis, 
with  the  British  army  in  Virginia,  were  made  the  ob 
ject,  and  his  capture  would  be  almost  certain,  while 
the  American  main  army  might  be  left  in  sufficient 
strength,  to  act  on  the  defensive  against  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  and  effectually  cover  the  important  posts  in 
the  Highlands  of  New  York. 

i yth. — General  Washington  was  pleased  to  com 
municate  to  our  General  (in  confidence)  his  inten 
tions,  at  the  same  time  intimating  to  him  that  he 
should  give  him  the  command  of  the  main  army 
during  his  absence.  The  whole  of  the  French  army, 
with  the  two  regiments  of  New  Jersey,  first  regiment 
of  New  York,  Col.  Hazen's  regiment,  Col.  Olney's 
regiment  of  Rhode  Island,  Col.  Lamb's  regiment  of 
artillery,  and  the  light  troops  under  the  command  of 
Col.  Scammel,  were  detached  for  the  expedition 
against  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  the  army  under  his 
command,  at  Yorktown  in  Virginia. 

1 8th. — Some  of  the  corps  began  to  move  towards 
the  ferries.  The  next  day,  the  Commander  in  Chief 
was  pleased  to  honour  our  General  with  the  follow 
ing: 

"To  Major  General  HEATH. 
"Sm, 

"YOU  are  to  take  command  of  all  the  troops 
remaining  in  this  department,  consisting  of  the  two 
regiments  of  New  Hampshire,  ten  of  Massachusetts, 
and  five  of  Connecticut  infantry,  the  corps  of  inva- 


AUG.  1781]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  313 

lids,  Sheldon's  legion,  the  3d  regiment  of  artillery, 
together  with  all  such  State  troops  and  militia  as  are 
retained  in  service  of  those  which  would  have  been 
under  my  own  command. 

"The  security  of  West  Point,  and  the  posts  in  the 
Highlands,  is  to  be  considered  as  the  first  object  of 
your  attention;  in  order  to  effect  this,  you  will  make 
such  dispositions  as  in  your  judgment  the  circum 
stances  shall  from  time  to  time  require,  taking  care 
to  have  as  large  a  supply  of  salted  provisions  as  pos 
sible  constantly  on  hand;  to  have  the  fortifications, 
works,  and  magazines  repaired  and  perfected  as  far 
as  may  be;  to  have  the  garrison  at  least,  in  all  cases, 
kept  up  to  its  present  strength;  to  have  the  minutes, 
plans,  and  arrangements,  for  the  defence  and  support 
of  this  important  post,  perfectly  understood  and  vig 
orously  executed  in  case  of  any  attempt  against  it. 
Ample  magazines  of  wood  and  forage  are  to  be  laid 
in,  against  the  approaching  winter;  the  former  should 
be  cut  on  the  margin  of  the  river,  and  transported  to 
the  garrison  by  water;  the  latter  ought  to  be  collected 
from  the  country  below  the  lines,  in  the  greatest 
quantities  possible,  and  deposited  in  such  places  as 
you  shall  judge  proper. 

"The  force  now  put  under  your  orders,  it  is  pre 
sumed,  will  be  sufficient  for  all  the  purposes  above 
mentioned,  as  well  as  to  yield  a  very  considerable 
protection  and  cover  to  the  country,  without  haz 
arding  the  safety  of  the  posts  in  the  Highlands;  this 
is  to  be  esteemed,  as  it  respects  the  friendly  inhabi 
tants  and  resources  of  the  country,  an  extremely 
interesting  object;  but  when  compared  with  the  for 
mer,  of  a  secondary  nature.  The  protection  of  the 
northern  and  western  frontier  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  as  well  as  those  parts  of  that  and  other  States 
most  contiguous  and  exposed  to  the  ravages  and 


HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1781 

depredations  of  the  enemy,  will  claim  your  attention; 
but  as  the  contingencies  which  are  to  be  expected  in 
the  course  of  this  campaign,  may  be  so  various,  un 
foreseen,  and  almost  infinite,  that  no  particular  line 
of  conduct  can  be  prescribed  for  them — upon  all 
such  occasions,  you  will  be  governed  by  your  own 
prudence  and  discretion,  on  which  the  fullest  confi 
dence  is  placed. 

"Although  your  general  rule  of  conduct  will  be 
to  act  on  the  defensive  only,  yet  it  is  not  meant  to 
prohibit  you  from  striking  a  blow  at  the  enemy's 
posts  or  detachments,  should  a  fair  opportunity  pre 
sent  itself.  The  most  eligible  position  for  your  army, 
in  my  opinion,  will  be  above  (that  is,  on  the  north 
side)  of  the  Croton,  as  well  for  the  purpose  of  sup 
porting  the  garrison  of  West  Point,  annoying  the 
enemy,  and  covering  the  country,  as  for  the  security 
and  repose  of  your  own  troops. 

"Waterbury's  brigade  (which  may  be  posted 
towards  the  Sound)  Sheldon's  corps,  the  State  troops 
of  New  York,  and  other  light  parties  may  occasion 
ally  be  made  use  of  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  and 
carry  on  the  petit-guerre  with  them;  but  I  would 
recommend  keeping  your  force  as  much  collected 
and  compact  as  the  nature  of  the  service  will  admit, 
doing  duty  by  corps  instead  of  detachments,  when 
ever  it  is  practicable;  and  above  all,  exerting  yourself 
most  strenuously  and  assiduously,  while  the  troops 
are  in  a  camp  of  repose,  to  make  them  perfect  in 
their  exercise  and  manoeuvres,  and  to  establish  the 
most  perfect  system  of  discipline  and  duty.  The 
good  of  the  service  and  emulation  of  corps,  will,  I 
am  persuaded,  prompt  the  officers  and  men  to  de 
vote  their  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  pleasing 
and  honourable  task  of  becoming  masters  of  their 
profession.  The  uncertainty  which  the  present 


Auc.i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  315 

movement  of  the  army  will  probably  occasion  with 
the  enemy  ought  to  be  increased  by  every  means  in 
your  power,  and  the  deception  kept  up  as  long  as 
possible.  It  will  not  be  expedient  to  prevent  the 
militia,  which  were  ordered,  from  coming  in,  until 
the  arrival  of  the  Count  de  Grasse,  or  something 
definite  and  certain  is  known  from  the  southward; 
and  even  these  circumstances  may,  (but  of  this  you 
will  be  advised)  render  it  advisable  to  keep  the 
enemy  at  New  York  in  check — prevent  their  de 
taching  to  reinforce  their  southern  army,  or  to  harass 
the  inhabitants  on  the  sea-coast. 

uThe  redoubt  on  the  east  side  of  Dobb's  Ferry  is 
to  be  dismantled  and  demolished;  the  platforms  to 
be  taken  up,  and  transported  up  the  river,  if  it  can 
be  conveniently  done.  The  block-house  on  the  other 
side  to  be  maintained,  or  evacuated  and  destroyed, 
as  you  shall  judge  proper.  The  water-guards,  and 
other  precautions  to  prevent  surprise,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  take  into  your  consideration,  and  regulate 
in  such  a  manner  as  you  shall  judge  most  expedient. 
You  will  be  pleased  to  keep  me  regularly  advised  of 
every  important  event  which  shall  take  place  in  your 
departments. 

"Given  under  my  hand,  at  head-quarters,  near 
Dobb's  Ferry,  this  I9th  day  of  August,  1781. 

(Signed)  GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

"P.  S.  By  the  act  of  Congress  of  the  3d  of  Oct. 
1780,  a  return  is  to  be  made  to  them  annually,  on, 
or  before  the  first  of  September,  of  the  troops  belong 
ing  to  the  several  States,  that  requisitions  may  be 
made  for  completing  the  same.  This  you  will  please 
to  have  done  by  the  troops  under  your  command. 

"The  preservation  of  the  boats  is  a  matter  of  very 
great  importance,  to  which  you  will  attend.  Let  all 


316  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [AUG.  1781 

the  new  boats,  and  such  others  as  are  not  absolutely 
necessary,  and  allotted  to  the  service  of  the  garrison, 
be  hauled  up,  and  put  under  the  care  of  a  guard,  so 
that  the  person  to  whom  they  are  committed  shall 
be  accountable  for  every  boat. 

"The  abuses  committed  by  people  belonging  to 
commissioned  whale-boats,  on  Long  Island,  ought  to 
be  inquired  into  and  suppressed,  especially  as  Con 
gress  have  ordered  those  commissions  to  be  revoked.* 

G.  W." 

1 9th. — About  noon,  his  Excellency  Gen.  Wash 
ington  left  the  army,  setting  his  face  towards  his 
native  State,  in  full  confidence,  to  use  his  own  words, 
"with  a  common  blessing,"  of  capturing  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  and  his  army;  while  our  General  was  left  to 
watch  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  guard  against  those 
attempts  which  it  was  probable  he  would  make  to 
succour  Cornwallis,  direct,  or  by  making  such  other 
movements  as  might  tend  to  induce  Gen.  Washing- 

O  O 

ton  to  give  up  his  object,  or  to  avail  himself  of  some 
important  posts  in  his  absence.  Sir  Henry  Clinton 
was  consequently  on  the  rack  to  devise  something 
which  should  effect  this  purpose;  a  stroke  at  the 
posts  in  the  Highlands,  Connecticut,  New  Jersey, 
Albany  and  Philadelphia,  was  contemplated.  Against 
all  this  had  our  General  to  guard.  Let  impartiality 
judge,  and  candour  decide  on  his  conduct. 

On  the  morning  of  the  same  day,  the  French  army 
marched  from  their  encampment  towards  King's 
Ferry,  where  they  were  to  cross  the  river.  The 
American  park  of  artillery,  Col.  Olney's  regiment, 
and  the  New  York  regiment  decamped  and  moved 
the  same  way, 

2Oth. — A  little  after  noon,  our  General  ordered  off 

*  See  Appendix  XXXIII. 


AuG.i78i]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  317 

the  baggage  to  the  strong  grounds  near  Young's, 
which  at  about  6  o'clock  was  followed  by  the  army, 
marching  by  the  left  in  one  column,  which  took  a 
strong  position  during  the  night.  The  pickets  after 
dusk  were  drawn  back  a  little  to  the  northward  of 
the  former  encampment.  The  advanced  parties 
under  Maj.  Scott  were  ordered  to  join  their  respec 
tive  regiments,  and  Sheldon's  horse  to  patrol  in  the 
front. 

2 1 st. — Col.  Putnam,  with  320  infantry,  Col.  Shel 
don's  horse,  and  two  companies  of  the  New  York 
levies,  were  ordered  to  form  an  advance  for  the 
army,  and  remain  at  or  near  their  present  ground. 
About  12  o'clock  at  noon,  the  army  took  up  its  line 
of  march,  and  halted  at  night  on  the  lower  parts  of 
North  Castle.  Two  regiments  had  been  detached 
on  the  march  to  Sing  Sing  church,  to  cover  a  quan 
tity  of  baggage  belonging  to  the  French  army,  assist 
in  removing  it,  &c.  and  a  detachment  was  sent  to 
the  New  Bridge  to  secure  a  quantity  of  flour  lodged 
near  that  place. 

22d. — The  army  marched  from  North  Castle,  and 
encamped  at  Crom  Pond;  all  the  French  stores  at 
Tarrytown  and  Sing  Sing  had  been  secured. 

23d. — The  army  marched  frorrrCrom  Pond,  and 
took  a  strong  position  at  Peekskill,  the  first  line 
encamping  before  the  village,  and  the  second  behind 
it.  After  the  troops  were  encamped,  80  wagons 
were  sent  off  to  assist  in  forwarding  the  stores  of  the 
army  with  Gen.  Washington.  Intelligence  was  re 
ceived  that  a  frigate  and  store-ship  had  arrived  at 
Boston,  from  France,  with  military  stores,  &c.  for 
the  United  States. 

24th. — The  French  troops  had  not  all  passed  the 
Ferry — 150  Americans  were  sent  to  aid  them,  and 
at  evening  150  more.  Intelligence  was  received  that 


3i8  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  1781 

a  large  French  fleet  had  been  seen  standing  for  the 
continent. 

26th. — The  whole  of  the  French  army  had  crossed 
the  river.  Gen.  Washington  was  as  far  as  Rama- 
po  in  the  forenoon.  Six  deserters  came  in  from 
the  enemy,  and  three  prisoners  of  war  belonging  to 
Delancey's  corps,  were  sent  up;  they  had  taken  and 
were  driving  off*  about  30  sheep,  which  were 
recovered. 

2yth. — Dispatches  were  sent  off  to  Gov.  Trum- 
bull  at  Hartford,  and  Gov.  Hancock  at  Boston.  A 
heavy  cannonade  was  heard  towards  New  York 
from  early  in  the  morning  till  two  in  the  afternoon, 
supposed  to  be  off  at  sea. 

3Oth. — At  evening  a  detachment  consisting  of  250 
men  marched  towards  the  New  Bridge,  where  wag 
ons  were  collecting  for  a  grand  forage,  which  was 
to  be  covered  by  this  detachment  and  the  troops  on 
the  lines — the  whole  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Greaton.  By  the  last  accounts,  Gen.  Washington 
was  as  far  as  Chatham,  in  the  Jerseys. 

3 1 st. — Colonel  Laurens  passed  the  army,  on  his 
way  from  Boston  to  Philadelphia:  he  had  brought 
from  France  a  large  sum  in  specie  for  the  United 
States.  Col.  Laurens  reported  the  friendly  disposi 
tion  of  the  European  powers  towards  the  United 
States;  that  Great  Britain  continued  to  stand  with 
out  a  single  ally,  nor  could  she  obtain  one  in  the  war 
in  which  she  was  engaged. 

September  1st. — The  foragers  returned  with  42 
loads  of  hay.  A  Hessian  rifleman  came  in  with  his 
rifle. 

The  same  day,  letters  were  received  from  Gen. 
Washington,  dated  at  Trenton,  the  2Qth  ult.  men 
tioning  that  a  British  fleet  of  15  sail  of  the  line  had 
arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  from  the  West  Indies.  The 


sEPT.i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  319 

same  evening,  about  40  Indians,  from  the  Oneida 
and  other  neighbouring  tribes,  came  to  the  army, 
on  their  way  after  Generals  Washington  and 
Rochambeau. 

2d. — Intelligence  was  received  from  New  York, 
that  a  fleet,  under  the  command  of  Admiral  Sir  Sam 
uel  Hood,  had  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  from  the 
West  Indies,  consisting  of  14  sail  of  the  line,  three 
44  gun  ships,  one  of  28,  a  sloop  and  fire-ship.  The 
ships  of  the  line  were,  Barfleur,  of  90  guns,  Princessa, 
Invincible,  Alcide,  Alfred,  Ajax,  Resolution,  Cen 
taur,  Intrepid,  Terrible,  Montague,  Shrewsbury, 

Belliqueax,  and ,  74  guns  each.  It  was  said 

that  the  ist  battalion  of  Royal,  I3th  and  69th  British 
regiments  came  in  the  fleet. 

3d. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Gen.  Wash 
ington  was  at  Philadelphia  the  preceding  Friday,  and 
that  his  army  was  to  march  from  Trenton,  as 
yesterday. 

4th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  New  York 
that  the  British  fleet  had  sailed  to  counteract  the 
French.  The  day  before,  the  southern  post-rider, 
with  the  mail,  was  stopped  near  Pompton  in  the 
Jerseys,  and  the  mail  carried  off;  the  horse  was 
left  in  the  road.  The  same  day,  a  fleet  of  26  sail, 
some  of  which  were  large,  passed  Stamford  to  the 
eastward. 

6th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  New  York 
that  an  embargo  was  laid  on  the  shipping  there, 
and  that  6  British  transports  had  been  taken  by  the 
French.  The  enemy's  shipping  in  the  North  River 
above  Fort  Washington  had  all  gone  down. 

7th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  New  York, 
that  the  Count  de  Grasse  had  arrived  in  the  Ches 
apeake  on  the  3ist  ultimo;  that  a  64  gun  ship  and  a 
frigate  had  entered  York  River;  that  Lord  Corn- 


320  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [SEPT.i78i 

wallis  was  preparing  for  a  vigorous  defence;  and 
that  6  sail  of  victuallers  had  been  taken  by  Admiral 
Barras.  A  heavy  cannonade  was  heard  the  day 
before,  towards  the  Hook.  The  same  day,  there  was 
much  passing  between  the  city  and  Fort  Washington, 
which  occasioned  a  great  rising  of  dust,  visible  at  a 
great  distance;  and  there  was  a  rumbling  of  car 
riages  in  the  night.  Mr.  Rivington,  in  his  paper, 
observed  the  present  to  be  the  most  interesting  and 
critical  era  of  the  war.*  The  same  evening,  a  de 
tachment  marched  from  our  army  for  a  grand 
forage. 

8th. — Two  companies  of  Col.  Weisenfeld's  reg 
iment  were  ordered  to  Albany  to  cover  that  city 
against  the  designs  of  the  enemy.  The  same  even 
ing,  our  General  received  a  letter  from  Gen.  Wash 
ington,  dated  at  the  Head  of  Elk  the  preceding  day, 
in  which  he  observes,  "I  have  it  now  in  my  power 
to  congratulate  you  on  the  arrival  of  Count  de  Grasse, 
with  28  ships  of  the  line  and  some  frigates,  in  the 
Chesapeake,  with  a  body  of  land  forces  on  board, 
which  he  debarked  immediately  on  his  arrival.  On 
his  passage,  he  took  Lord  Rawdon,  who  was  bound 
from  Charleston  to  England.  This  arrival,  with  Col. 
Laurens,  from  France,  must  fill  the  United  States 
with  the  most  happy  prospects  and  expectations." 
...  "I  am  thus  far  on  my  way  to  Virginia,  with 
the  troops  under  my  command;  we  are  now  em 
barking  the  heavy  baggage,  stores,  and  some  of  the 
troops."  ...  "I  must  beg  of  you  not  to  forget  send 
ing  the  quantity  of  beef  I  requested,  as  I  must  at 
present  altogether  depend  on  that  supply." 

The  same  day,  intelligence  was  received  that  the 
enemy's  fleet,  which  sailed  up  the  Sound  on  the  4th, 
had  made  a  descent  on  New  London.  At  evening, 

*  See  Appendix  XXXIV. 


sEPT.i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  321 

Maj.  Tallmadge,  with  20  cavalry  and  200  infantry, 
was  ordered  to  move  immediately  towards  the  Sound. 
The  preceding  day,  about  30  sail  of  the  enemy's 
vessels  passed  the  Sound  towards  New  York. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Qth  the  foragers  returned, 
with  28  loads  of  hay. 

loth. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Governor 
Trumbull  that  the  enemy  had  made  a  descent  on 
New  London,  on  the  evening  of  the  6th,  with  about 
2,ooo  infantry  and  300  light-horse.  Their  fleet  con 
sisted  of  about  40  sail  of  ships-of-war  and  transports; 
they  plundered  the  inhabitants  of  property  to  a  large 
amount,  and  burnt  a  great  part  of  the  town.  The 
militia  behaved  very  gallantly,  and  a  number  of  very 
valuable  citizens  were  killed;  among  others,  Col. 
Ledyard,  Captains  Saltonstall  and  Richards.  The 
enemy,  in  three  assaults  on  the  fort  on  Groton  side 
of  the  river,  were  repulsed,  but  on  the  fourth  attempt 
carried  it.  The  militia  collecting  in  greater  numbers, 
with  some  pieces  of  artillery,  the  enemy  retreated  on 
board  their  shipping.  Part  of  the  American  ship 
ping  in  the  harbour  were  scuttled,  and  some  were 
run  up  the  river.  In  Governor  Trumbull's  letter 
the  enemy  were  charged  with  behaving  in  a  wanton 
and  barbarous  manner;  and  that  of  between  70  and 
80  men  who  were  killed,  3  only  were  killed  before 
the  enemy  entered  the  fort,  and  the  garrison  had 
submitted;  that  on  Col.  Ledyard's  delivering  his 
sword  reversed,  to  the  commanding  officer,  who  en 
tered  the  fort,  the  officer  immediately  plunged  it  in 
the  Colonel's  body,  on  which  several  soldiers  bayo 
neted  him.  It  is  also  asserted  that  upon  the  foregoing 
taking  place,  an  American  officer,  who  stood  near  to 
Col.  Ledyard,  instantly  stabbed  the  British  officer 
who  stabbed  the  Colonel;  on  which,  the  British  indis 
criminately  bayoneted  a  great  number  of  Americans. 


322  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.^SI 

This  expedition  was  commanded  by  Arnold.  The 
British  loss  was  very  considerable  in  killed  and 
wounded;  among  the  former  was  Major  Mont 
gomery.  Arnold  himself  continued  on  the  New 
London  side,  and  while  his  troops  were  plundering 
and  burning,  was  said  to  have  been  at  a  house  where 
he  was  treated  very  politely;  that  while  he  was  sitting 
with  the  gentleman  regaling  himself,  the  latter  ob 
served  that  he  hoped  his  house  and  property  would 
be  safe;  he  was  answered  that  while  he  (Arnold) 
was  there,  it  would  not  be  touched;  but  the  house, 
except  the  room  in  which  they  were,  was  soon  plun 
dered,  and  found  to  be  on  fire.  During  the  plunder 
of  the  town,  the  British  (  as  is  always  the  case  in  a 
plunder)  were  in  great  confusion,  setting  their  arms 
against  trees  and  fences,  while  they  were  collecting 
and  carrying  off  their  plunder;  in  this  situation  they 
might  have  been  easily  defeated;  nor  would  it  have 
been  the  first  time  that  an  army  in  possession  of  vic 
tory  lost  it  in  this  way;  hence  by  the  articles  of  war, 
"If  any  officer  or  soldier  shall  leave  his  post  or  col 
ours,  to  go  in  search  of  plunder,  he  is  liable  to  suffer 
death  for  the  offence." 

It  is  not  meant  to  exculpate  or  to  aggravate  the 
conduct  of  the  enemy  on  this  occasion — but  two 
things  are  to  be  remembered;  first,  that  in  almost  all 
cases  the  slaughter  does  but  begin  when  the  van 
quished  give  way;  and  it  has  been  said  that  if  this 
were  fully  considered,  troops  would  never  turn  their 
backs  if  it  were  possible  to  face  their  enemy:  Sec 
ondly,  in  all  attacks  by  assault,  the  assailants,  be 
tween  the  feeling  of  danger  on  the  one  hand,  and 
resolution  to  overcome  it  on  the  other,  have  their 
minds  worked  up  almost  to  a  point  of  fury  and  mad 
ness,  which  those  who  are  assailed,  from  a  confidence 
in  their  works,  do  not  feel;  and  that  consequently 


SEPT.i78i]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  323 

when  a  place  is  carried,  and  the  assailed  submit,  the 
assailants  cannot  instantaneously  curb  their  fury  to 
reason,  and  in  this  interval  many  are  slain  in  a  way 
which  a  cool  bystander  would  call  wanton  and  bar 
barous,  and  even  the  perpetrators  themselves,  when 
their  rage  subsided,  would  condemn;  but  while  the 
human  passions  remain  as  they  now  are  there  is 
scarcely  a  remedy.* 

nth. — Arnold's  fleet  was  still  in  the  Sound,  and 
further  depredations  were  expected;  they  were  this 
morning  at  Killingsworth,  and  about  noon  50  sail  of 
vessels  came  to  anchor  between  Norwalk  and  Stam 
ford.  Major  Tallmadge,  who  was  returning,  upon 
supposition  that  the  enemy  had  returned  to  New 
York,  was  ordered  back  immediately.  Maj.  Knapp 
was  detached  with  100  men  to  reinforce  Col.  Putnam 
on  the  lines;  and  Brig.  Gen.  Huntington,  with  the 
first  Connecticut  brigade,  and  a  detachment  of  ar 
tillery  was  ordered  to  march  towards  the  Sound. 
The  same  day,  the  army  moved  from  its  encampment 
at  Peekskill,  and  took  a  very  strong  position  on 
Bald  Hill,  where  it  encamped  in  one  line,  the  second 
line  forming  in  the  centre  of  the  first;  and  the  8th 
Massachusetts  regiment  was  ordered  to  march  from 
the  army,  and  reinforce  the  garrison  of  West  Point. 

1 3th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  on  the 
enemy's  anchoring  off*  Stamford,  Maj.  Tallmadge 
advanced  towards  the  town;  Gen.  Huntington  had 
advanced  as  far  as  Bedford;  and  that  the  preceding 
morning  the  enemy's  fleet  came  to  sail,  and  stood 
principally  to  the  westward;  some  of  the  fleet,  at  the 
same  time,  standing  over  to  Huntington  Bay,  Long 
Island.  Maj.  Tallmadge  was  to  remain  at  or  near 
Canaan,  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants;  Gen. 
Huntington  to  return  to  the  army. 

*  See  Appendix  XXXV. 


324  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [SEPT.  1781 

The  Hessian  recruits,  which  had  a  little  before  ar 
rived  at  New  York,  were  very  sickly,  and  many  died. 
The  fleet  which  had  arrived  at  New  York  were  in 
bad  condition.  The  Prudente  and  Robuste  lay  at 
the  ship-yard;  the  Roebuck  had  been  sent  to  Halifax 
to  repair,  and  had  not  returned.  Mr.  Rivington, 
in  his  paper,  talked  of  another  fleet  coming  out  under 
Admiral  Digby. 

1 5th. — The  enemy  had  still  a  number  of  troops 
on  board  their  transports  in  the  harbour.  The  same 
day,  intelligence  was  received  from  Canada  that  the 
enemy  were  preparing  a  number  of  canoes  and  small 
batteaux  at  St.  John's,  baking  hard  bread  at  Mon 
treal,  and  forwarding  it  to  St.  John's,  &c.  The 
Cork  fleet  had  arrived  at  Quebec.  The  same  day, 
about  40  sail  of  the  enemy's  vessels  passed  in  the 
Sound  to  the  eastward. 

iyth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  a  brigade 
of  troops  had  lately  come  to  St.  John's,  from  whence 
an  incursion  on  our  northern  frontier  might  be  ex 
pected;  on  which  the  whole  of  Weisenfeld's  regiment 
was  ordered  for  Albany  immediately;  notice  was  also 
given  to  the  eastern  Governors,  and  the  Brigadiers 
commanding  the  militia  in  the  counties  of  Hampshire 
and  Berkshire,  in  Massachusetts,  requested  to  lend 
their  aid  if  it  should  be  found  necessary. 

1 8th. — A  deserter  came  in  from  New  York;  he 
reported,  that  when  he  left  the  city,  about  20  sail  of 
vessels  were  falling  down  to  the  Hook,  said  to  have 
troops  on  board. 

iQth. — The  2d  and  5th  Massachusetts  regiments 
were  ordered  to  go  into  garrison  at  West  Point,  and 
the  7th  regiment  to  join  the  army;  it  had  before 
been  in  garrison.  The  same  day,  intelligence  was 
received  from  New  York  that  there  had  been  a 
naval  engagement  off"  the  Chesapeake,  between  19 


SEPT.i78i]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  325 

sail  of  British  men-of-war,  and  24  French  ships  of  the 
line:  the  story  was  so  badly  told  in  New  York  that 
there  was  good  grounds  to  conclude  that  the  British 
had  received  a  severe  drubbing.  On  the  iyth,  when 
a  packet  arrived  at  New  York,  3,000  people  were 
said  to  be  waiting  on  the  wharves  to  learn  the  news, 
but  not  a  word  transpired;  nor  did  the  countenance 
of  the  officer  who  landed,  appear  to  beam  with  the 
smiles  of  fortune.  The  enemy  had  taken  a  number 
of  heavy  cannon  from  the  Grand  Battery,  which  were 
put  on  board  ship.  The  troops  still  remained  on 
board  the  transports,  and  had  fallen  down  to  the 
Hook.  A  mortal  sickness  prevailed  in  Delancey's 
corps,  at  Morrisania,  which  was  much  reduced  in 
its  numbers. 

22d. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
fleet  had  been  pretty  severely  handled  by  the  French, 
and  some  of  the  ships  were  considerably  damaged: 
that  the  inhabitants  were  in  great  consternation  in 
New  York;  many  were  packing  up  their  goods:  that 
Arnold's  loss  at  New  London,  in  both  killed  and 
wounded,  was  very  considerable:  that  the  38th,  47th 
and  5Oth  regiments  were  on  that  expedition,  and 
then  considered  as  unfit  for  duty.  Gen.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  was  said  to  be  embarked  with  the  troops, 
report  said  from  7  to  8  thousand;  among  them  the 
British  and  Hessian  grenadiers,  light-infantry,  42d 
regiment,  &c. 

24th. — A  grand  forage  was  made  below  the  lines. 
The  British  fleet  returned  to  the  Hook  on  the  2Oth. 
The  Prudente  of  64  guns,  had  gone  down  in  a  mis 
erable  condition  to  join  the  fleet;  and  the  Robuste 
of  74  guns,  had  hauled  down  nearly  opposite  to  the 
city.  The  heavy  cannon  had  been  taken  from  Fort 
Washington,  as  well  as  the  Grand  Battery. 

25th. — Forty-six  loads  of  forage  were  brought  off 


326  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [SEPT.  i78l 

from  below  the  lines.  Mr.  Rivington  published 
another  account  of  the  naval  engagement  between 
the  fleets  on  the  I5th;  he  acknowledged  that  several 
ships  were  much  damaged,  and  that  two  which  had 
come  from  the  West  Indies  leaky,  were  more  so  after 
the  engagement:  that  in  particular,  the  Terrible  was 
so  much  damaged,  as  occasioned  the  taking  out  her 
guns,  &c.  and  setting  her  on  fire;  after  which  the 
fleet  returned  to  the  Hook,  finding  it  impracticable 
to  succour  Lord  Cornwallis.  It  was  said  that  the 
troops  which  had  embarked,  (about  6,000)  had  de 
barked  on  Staten  Island.  Other  accounts  stated 
their  number  not  more  than  4,000 — they  were  im 
pressing  and  collecting  wagons.* 

ayth. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  Col.  Wurmb's 
corps  with  their  arms,  &c. 

28th. — Apprehending  that  the  enemy  might  have 
intentions  of  crossing  over  from  Staten  Island  to  the 
Jerseys,  a  detachment  of  300  infantry,  with  light  artil 
lery,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Swift,  were  ordered 
to  cross  the  ferry  the  next  morning,  and  move  as  far 
as  Ramapo,  to  be  at  hand  to  aid  the  militia,  in 
case  the  enemy  should  land  in  the  Jerseys. 

2Qth. — Intelligence  was  received  from  the  north 
ward  that  a  small  party  had  been  sent  from  St.  John's 
to  Saratoga,  to  take  a  prisoner  or  two,  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  information;  but  that  five  of  the  party, 
with  the  instructions  of  the  British  commandant  at 
St.  John's,  were  taken  and  brought  in  by  Captain 
Dunham. 

3Oth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Admiral 
Digby  arrived  at  New  York  the  25th  inst.  with  three 
sail  of  the  line,  and  one  frigate.  Prince  William 
Henry,  the  King  of  England's  third  son,  came  in 
this  fleet.  It  was  said  in  New  York  that  Lord  Corn- 

*  See  Appendix  XXXVI. 


ocr.i78i]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  327 

wallis's  force  in  Virginia  consisted  of  5,000  regular 
troops,  and  3,000  levies;  but  that  behind  him  was  a 
numerous  Continental  army — before  him  a  powerful 
French  fleet.  The  troops  on  Staten  Island  were  at 
this  time  suspected  to  be  planning  some  secret  ex 
pedition;  and  Congress,  from  some  intelligence  which 
they  had  received,  were  not  without  apprehensions 
that  Philadelphia  might  be  their  object.  The  militia 
of  Pennsylvania  were  held  in  readiness  for  instant 
service;  and  our  General  was  notified  to  hold  the 
army  in  readiness  to  move  if  necessary.  The  enemy 
were  carefully  watched.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  en 
deavouring  to  devise  some  means  whereby  he  might 
relieve  Lord  Cornwallis;  but  nothing  would  have 
diverted  Gen.  Washington  from  capturing  him. 
The  New  York  papers  were  filled  with  addresses 
and  adulations  to  their  young  Prince;  but  these  could 
not  retard  the  advances  of  a  WASHINGTON,  or  defend 
Cornwallis.  The  fleet  of  Count  de  Grasse  made 
several  captures.* 

October  2d. — A  detachment  marched  for  a  grand 
forage. 

3d. — At  3  o'clock,  A.M.  Major  Trescott,  with  a 
detachment  of  100  men  from  Maj.  Tallmadge's  com 
mand,  crossed  the  Sound  to  Long  Island,  and  com 
pletely  surprised  the  enemy's  Fort  Slonge,  making 
2  Captains,  I  Lieutenant,  and  18  rank  and  file  pris 
oners;  of  the  enemy,  2  were  killed,  and  2  wounded; 
of  the  Americans,  none  were  killed,  and  but  one 
wounded.  Two  double  fortified  4  pounders,  found 
in  the  fort,  were  damaged.  One  brass  three-pounder, 
with  a  number  of  small-arms,  ammunition,  clothing, 
British  goods,  &c.  were  brought  off.  This  enter 
prise  was  conducted  with  address  and  gallantry. 

*  See  Appendix  XXXVII. 


328  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [Ocr.i78i 

4th. — The  foragers  returned,  with  upwards  of  40 
loads  of  hay. 

5th. — A  detachment  of  dragoons  were  sent  towards 
Boston,  and  100  picked  infantry  under  Maj.  Morrell 
were  to  march  towards  Springfield,  to  escort  a  large 
sum  of  money  (brought  by  Col.  Laurens)  to 
Philadelphia. 

6th. — The  enemy  were  again  embarking  their 
troops  from  Staten  Island;  they  embarked  on  board 
the  men-of-war.  Considering  their  case  as  desperate, 
they  were  determined  to  make  one  desperate  attempt. 
Ten  or  twelve  fire-ships  were  prepared  to  sail  with  the 
fleets;  they  were  filled  with  proper  materials  for  the 
purpose,  and,  to  prevent  suspicion,  they  were  new 
painted,  had  guns,  and  the  appearance  of  some  of 
the  handsomest  ships  in  the  fleet. 

8th. — A  detachment  was  sent  on  a  grand  forage. 
The  same  day,  intelligence  was  received  that  a  party 
of  refugees  and  Indians,  from  Niagara,  had  burnt  a 
number  of  houses  and  barns  at  Warworsing;  they 
were  pursued  by  Col.  Paulding,  but  could  not  be 
come  up  with.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  in  his  orders  of 
the  3d,  directed  3,000  regular  troops  to  embark  on 
board  the  men-of-war  as  marines;  it  was  supposed 
that  every  thing  would  be  ready  by  the  I4th.  Secret 
intelligence  had  been  received  from  Albany  that  the 
enemy  had  intentions  on  that  city;  that  they  would 
advance  by  different  routes,  and  on  their  near  ap 
proach,  would  be  joined  by  some  disaffected  people 
in  the  country,  and  the  destruction  of  the  city  be 
effected.  Brig.  Gen.  Stark  had  been  in  command 
for  some  time  at  the  northward. 

loth. — Our  General  ordered  the  ad  New  Hamp 
shire  regiment,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery,  to  the 
northward.  Gen.  Stark  had  executed  a  Mr.  Love 
less,  sent  in  by  Capt.  Dunham,  as  a  spy. 


OCT.  1781]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  329 

I3th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  enemy 
had  advanced  to  this  side  of  Lake  George. 

I4th. — The  ist  New  Hampshire  and  roth  Massa 
chusetts  regiments,  with  a  detachment  of  artillery, 
were  ordered  to  Albany,  where  matters  wore  a  more 
serious  aspect. 

I5th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  on  the  28th 
ult.  Gen.  Washington  took  a  position  in  the  neigh 
bourhood  of  York — the  enemy  gave  him  no  annoy 
ance:  on  his  advancing,  a  body  of  horse  paraded 
before  the  enemy's  works;  but  retired  upon  the  dis 
charge  of  a  few  shot  at  them. 

The  2Qth  was  spent  in  taking  another  position  as 
near  the  enemy's  advanced  works  as  could  be  done 
without  placing  the  encampment  in  the  range  of  their 
shot.  Some  skirimishing  happened  between  our  rifle 
men  and  the  yagers,  in  which  the  former  had  the 
advantage.  At  night,  the  enemy  abandoned  all  their 
out-posts,  (some  of  which  were  very  advantageous) 
and  retired  to  the  town;  the  Americans  occupied  the 
same  ground,  and  made  lodgments  at  a  short  dis 
tance  from  the  enemy's  lines.  The  heavy  artillery 
was  to  be  brought  up  as  soon  as  possible,  and  the 
siege  pushed  with  vigour. 

3Oth. — Col.  Scammell,  who  was  officer  of  the  day, 
was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  the 
enemy's  horse,  as  he  was  reconnoitring  one  of  the 
works  which  had  just  before  been  evacuated. 

Our  General  had  ordered  Maj.  Gen.  Lord  Sterling 
to  proceed  to  Albany,  and  take  the  command  of  the 
troops  in  that  quarter;  he  set  out  for  the  northward 
about  noon  on  the  i6th.  The  same  day,  Col.  Tup- 
per,  with  the  1st  New  Hampshire  and  loth  Massa 
chusetts  regiments,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery, 
embarked  at  Fishkill  Landing,  and  arrived  at  Albany 
in  1 8  hours  afterwards.  The  same  day,  it  was  learnt 


330  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [Ocr.i78i 

that  the  enemy's  fleet  at  New  York  was  24  or  25 
sail  of  the  line;  and  that  5  or  6,000  of  the  best  troops 
at  New  York  had  embarked,  and  were  on  the  point 
of  sailing  to  attempt  to  relieve  Earl  Cornwallis;  it 
was  also  said  that  Cornwallis  was  short  of  bread, 
and  that  his  meat  provisions  would  not  last  him  more 
than  the  month  out,  at  farthest — he  had  received 
fresh  provisions  but  once  after  he  was  blockaded. 

On  the  morning  of  the  lyth,  a  horse-guard  be 
longing  to  Gen.  Howe's  division,  consisting  of  a 
sergeant,  9  privates,  and  8  wagoners,  with  30  horses, 
were  taken  by  Delancey's  horse  a  little  below  Croton 
River,  where  the  horses  had  been  put  to  pasture  con 
trary  to  orders.  A  Court  of  Inquiry  was  ordered  to 
investigate  the  matter. 

1 8th. — It  was  learnt,  that  on  the  preceding  Satur 
day,  a  British  74  gun  ship  was  struck  by  the  light 
ning  at  New  York,  and  sustained  considerable 
damage. 

22d. — Gen.  Greene's  official  letter  to  Congress 
announced  that  his  battle  on  the  8th,  near  Eutaw 
Springs,  was  well  fought;  that  on  the  field  he  ob 
tained  the  victory,  drove  and  pursued  the  enemy  for 
several  miles;  when  the  enemy,  throwing  themselves 
into  a  three-story  brick  house,  a  stockaded  garden, 
and  thick  brush,  renewed  the  action,  when,  after  some 
efforts  to  dislodge  them,  Gen.  Greene  thought  it  ad 
visable  to  call  off  his  troops,  which  was  done,  and 
the  wounded  brought  off,  except  such  as  were  under 
the  fire  of  the  house.  Four  brass  six-pounders  hav 
ing  had  their  horses  killed  were  also  left  near  the 
house,  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  This  was  some 
what  similar  to  what  took  place  at  Germantown 
battle,  and  now  very  probably  saved  the  British  from 
a  total  defeat.  The  close  of  this  action  barred  its 
being  called  a  complete  victory,  although  its  effects 


ocr.i78i3          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  331 

proved  it  such.  General  Greene,  of  Continental 
State  troops  and  militia,  had  one  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
i  Major,  6  Captains,  8  Subalterns,  8  Sergeants,  and 
114  rank  and  file  killed — 5  Lieutenant-Colonels, 
13  Captains,  25  Subalterns,  32  Sergeants,  and  300 
rank  and  file  wounded — i  Sergeant,  and  40  rank  and 
file  missing — I  Brigadier-General  of  militia  wounded. 
Of  the  enemy,  500  prisoners,  including  the  wounded, 
which  the  enemy  left  behind  them,  were  taken;  and 
it  was  supposed  that  the  killed  and  other  wounded 
of  the  enemy,  must  be  nearly  600  more.  Perhaps 
troops  never  fought  better  than  the  Americans  did 
in  this  battle;  and  of  the  British,  General  Greene 
observed,  "the  enemy  fought  with  equal  spirit,  and 
worthy  of  a  better  cause."* 

By  a  letter  from  Gen.  Washington,  of  the  6th,  it 
appeared  that  the  operations  against  Earl  Cornwallis 
had  then  gone  on  but  slowly,  but  that  the  trenches 
were  to  be  opened  that  night.  The  same  letter  ob 
served  that  some  misunderstanding,  which  had  sub 
sisted  in  Vermont,  was  settled;  and  that  Gen.  Enos, 
and  the  troops  under  his  command,  were  to  be  sub 
ject  to  the  orders  of  our  General. 

The  army  in  the  Highlands  were  at  this  time  short 
of  flour,  occasioned  by  the  dry  season,  and  conse 
quent  want  of  water  for  the  mills. 

24th. — A  letter  was  received  from  Gen.  Washing 
ton,  dated  at  York  in  Virginia,  the  I2th,  by  which 
it  appeared  that  the  trenches  were  opened  on  the 
night  of  the  6th,  without  being  discovered  by  the 
enemy  until  day-light.  The  approaches  were  carried 
on  within  600  yards  of  the  enemy's  works  without 
any  loss — the  Jth  and  8th  were  employed  in  erecting 
batteries — on  the  Qth,  two  batteries,  one  on  the  right, 
and  the  other  on  the  left,  were  opened.  The  next 

*  See  Appendix  XXXVIII. 


332  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1781 

morning,  four  other  batteries  being  completed,  the 
whole  opened  a  heavy  fire  of  cannon  and  mortars, 
which  soon  become  so  warm  as  to  drive  the  enemy 
from  their  guns,  and  their  fire  was  almost  totally 
silenced — very  little  return  was  made  afterwards. 
The  Charon,  of  44  guns,  with  one  transport,  took 
fire  from  our  shot  or  shells,  the  evening  of  the  loth, 
and  were  both  consumed.  The  i  ith,  another  ship  was 
destroyed  in  the  same  manner.  The  same  night, 
the  second  parallel  was  advanced  within  less  than 
400  yards  of  the  enemy's  lines.  This  approach  was 
also  effected  without  annoyance;  and  on  the  I2th, 
the  fatigue  men  were  securely  covered,  while  they 
were  completing  the  works.  The  same  evening  there 
was  a  flying  report,  and  which  seemed  to  gain  credit, 
that  Earl  Cornwallis,  and  his  army,  surrendered  on 
the  iyth;  and  that  Count  de  Grasse  had  gone  out  to 
meet  Admiral  Digby. 

25th. — Intelligence  was  received  of  the  advance 
of  the  enemy  at  the  northward. 

26th. — Col.  Francis,  with  the  specie  from  Boston, 
passed  the  river;  the  money  was  escorted  by  40  horse 
of  Sheldon's  regiment,  and  150  infantry;  and  Lieut. 
Col.  Mellen  was  ordered  with  a  detachment  of  in 
fantry  to  move  on  the  lower  road  as  far  as  Morris- 
town,  keeping  between  the  escort  and  the  enemy. 

28th. — In  the  afternoon,  a  letter  from  Gen.  Wash 
ington  to  our  General  announced  the  pleasing  and 
highly  important  news  of  the  complete  capture  of 
Earl  Cornwallis,  and  his  whole  army,  on  the  iQth. 
Our  General  had  assured  the  army  that  the  moment 
he  received  the  certain  intelligence  of  the  capture  of 
Cornwallis  it  should  be  announced  to  them  by  the 
discharge  of  13  cannon,  near  his  quarters;  these  were 
now  the  heralds  to  the  army,  and  were  instantly 


ocr.i78i]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  333 

answered  by  a  like  number  of  field-pieces  in  every 
brigade  on  the  ground. 

On  the  1 5th,  two  of  the  enemy's  redoubts  were 
stormed,  one  by  the  Americans,  and  the  other  by 
the  French  troops,  and  soon  carried,  with  but  little 
loss.  The  possession  of  these  redoubts  gave  the 
allied  army  in  a  great  measure  the  command  of  the 
other  works  of  the  enemy,  who  on  the  lyth,  beat  a 
parley,  and  on  the  iQth  surrendered:  3,500  regular 
troops  laid  down  their  arms;  2,000  more  were  sick 
and  wounded  in  the  hospitals.  These  were  exclu 
sive  of  sailors,  negroes,  &c.  Earl  Cornwallis  was 
to  go  to  England  on  parole,  and  remain  a  prisoner 
until  exchanged.  The  officers  and  men  were  to  be 
exchanged  as  far  as  the  garrison  of  Charleston  would 
extend;  the  remainder  were  to  continue  prisoners  of 
war;  the  British  were  to  retain  their  private  baggage. 
It  was  said  that  more  than  100  vessels  were  taken 
from  the  enemy.  A  detail  of  the  prisoners  taken, 
was  stated  as  follows:  one  Lieut.  General,  one  Brig. 
General,  2  Colonels,  14  Lieut. -Colonels,  16  Majors, 
97  Captains,  180  Lieutenants,  55  Ensigns,  4  Chap 
lains,  6  Adjutants,  18  Quarter-Masters,  18  Surgeons, 
25  Mates,  385  Sergeants,  197  Drummers  and  Trum 
peters,  6,039  rank  and  file,  189  in  the  Commissary's 
department — sailors  in  the  pay  of  the  King,  840 — 
killed  during  the  siege,  309 — deserters,  44 — 75  brass 
cannon,  169  iron  do. ,5, 743  muskets  with  bayonets, 
915  muskets  without  bayonets,  and  1,136  damaged 
muskets  were  among  the  trophies  of  victory.  Thus 
was  the  principal  force  of  the  enemy  crushed  in  the 
south.  At  the  northward,  the  enemy  were  advanc 
ing,  both  by  the  way  of  the  Lakes  and  by  the  Mo 
hawk  River.  Col.  Willett,  with  his  regiment  of  New 
York  levies,  and  some  militia  of  New  York,  and 
from  the  western  parts  of  Massachusetts,  were  ad- 


334  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1781 

vancing  to  meet  Maj.  Ross,  who,  with  from  500  to 
700  men,  principally  British  troops,  was  making  his 
way  towards  Albany  through  the  settlements  on  the 
Mohawk.* 

ZQth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  an  action 
took  place  the  preceding  Thursday,  near  Johnstown, 
between  the  troops  under  the  command  of  Col.  Wil- 
lett  and  Maj.  Ross. 

Col.  Willett  having  advanced  until  he  had  arrived 
near  Maj.  Ross,  detached  Maj.  Rowley  of  Massachu 
setts,  with  a  body  of  militia,  by  a  circuitous  move 
ment,  to  get  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  with  orders 
that  as  soon  as  he  heard  the  firing  in  the  front,  to 
fall  on  them.  Maj.  Rowley  performed  his  manoeu 
vre  accordingly;  and  as  soon  as  Col.  Willett  judged 
that  the  Major  had  gained  the  rear  of  the  enemy  he 
made  a  vigorous  charge  on  their  front  when  they 
immediately  gave  way,  and  to  all  appearance  the 
Colonel  was  nearly  in  the  grasp  of  victory,  when,  all 
at  once,  without  any  visible  occasion  the  levies  came 
to  a  stand,  and  then  immediately  began  to  fall  back, 
the  enemy  facing  about  and  charging  vigorously; 
the  Colonel's  brass  field-piece  and  ammunition  tum 
brel  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  a  rout 
seemed  to  be  taking  place,  when  Maj.  Rowley,  not 
knowing  what  had  taken  place  in  the  front,  com 
menced  a  brisk  attack  on  the  enemy's  rear;  this  in 
stantly  threw  them  into  confusion;  the  levies  rallied 
in  the  front,  and  fought  with  redoubled  bravery;  the 
field-piece  and  tumbrel  were  retaken,  and  the  enemy 
put  to  a  most  complete  rout,  and  pursued  until  the 
levies,  militia,  and  some  Oneida  Indians  who  were 
with  Col.  Willett,  were  worn  down  with  fatigue.  It 
was  not  possible  to  ascertain  the  number  of  the 
enemy's  slain;  for,  to  use  the  words  of  the  reporting 

*  See  Appendix  XXXIX. 


ocr.i78i]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  335 

officer,  "Unless  the  swamps  and  rivers,  in  which 
they  fell,  were  to  report  the  killed,  it  was  impossible 
to  make  a  return  of  them."  Major  Butler,  so  fre 
quently  a  troublesome  partisan  officer  on  the  fron 
tiers,  was  killed  by  the  Indians  as  he  was  passing  a 
river.*  Fifty-two  prisoners  were  taken  and  brought 
in;  and  Major  Ross  went  off  in  a  direction  into  the 
woods,  where  he  and  his  troops  must  have  suffered 
extremely  for  provisions,  &c.  Of  the  levies  and 
militia  with  Col.  Willett,  I  Lieutenant  and  12  rank 
and  file  were  killed;  i  Captain,  2  Lieutenants,  and 
20  rank  and  file  were  wounded;  i  Captain,  I  Lieu 
tenant,  and  3  privates,  missing.  Thus  were  the  de 
signs  of  the  enemy  also  frustrated  in  the  north. 

The  Corporation  of  the  city  of  Albany  were  so 
much  impressed  with  the  seasonable  and  effectual 
exertions  made  by  our  General  to  save  their  city 
from  destruction  that  they  sent  him  the  following 
very  polite  address: 

ALBANY,  October  22,  1781. 
"Sm, 

"THREATENED  as  this  city  and  the  frontiers  of 
the  State  have  been  with  destruction  from  an  enemy, 
who,  forgetting  the  rights  of  humanity,  and  the  cus 
toms  of  war  adopted  by  civilized  nations,  have  hith 
erto  waged  it  with  all  the  spirit  of  the  most  savage 
barbarism, — we  cannot  reflect  but  with  pleasure  and 
gratitude  on  the  alacrity  with  which  you  have  pur 
sued  the  intentions  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  in 
affording  with  so  much  dispatch  a  competent  sup 
port  to  oppose  the  enemy:  permit  us,  therefore,  to 
render  you  our  unfeigned  thanks,  and  to  assure  you 
that  the  Corporation  of  the  city  of  Albany  can  never 
be  unmindful  of  your  attention;  and  we  entertain 
not  the  least  doubt,  but  that  similar  sentiments  in- 

*  See  Appendix  XL. 


336  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1781 

fluence  every  inhabitant  who  has  experienced  the 
advantage  of  your  generous  exertions. 

We  are,  Sir,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem, 
your  most  obedient  humble  Servants. 

By  order  of  the  Corporation, 
(Signed)    ABRA.  TEN  BROECK,  Mayor. 
The  Hon.  Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

3 1  st. — The  army  in  the  Highlands  celebrated  the 
glorious  victory  obtained  over  Lord  Cornwallis. 
The  whole  army  was  under  arms  in  one  line;  the 
artillery  interspersed  with  the  brigades  to  which  it 
was  attached:  at  12  o'clock,  the  army  was  reviewed 
by  the  General;  at  one,  a  grand  feu-de-joy  was  fired; 
after  which  all  the  officers  dined  together  at  a  table 
spread  in  the  field,  and  formed  a  great  square,  where 
great  festivity  and  social  mirth  prevailed.  The  sol 
diery  had  an  extra  boon  on  the  occasion;  and,  to 
crown  the  whole,  in  the  midst  of  the  joy  around  the 
table,  an  officer  approached  our  General,  and  in 
formed  him,  that,  at  the  request  of  the  prisoners  in 
the  provost,  (who  were  pretty  numerous)  he  was 
desired  to  represent  that  their  hearts  expanded  with 
joy  on  account  of  the  glorious  victory  obtained  by 
their  illustrious  Commander  in  Chief — that  they 
lamented  they  could  not  express  it  with  their  com 
rades  in  arms;  but  that  they  did  it  heartily  in  their 
confinement,  and  solicited  the  General's  goodness  in 
an  order  for  something  to  cheer  their  spirits.  This 
was  instantly  done,  with  an  additional  order  to  the 
officer  of  the  provost  guard  to  set  every  prisoner  in 
confinement  at  liberty.  The  promulgation  of  this 
order  drew  a  shout  of  approbation  from  the  whole 
body  of  the  officers  at  the  table;  and  probably  had 
a  better  effect  on  the  discipline  of  the  army  than  a 
continuation  of  confinement,  and  exemplary  pun- 


NOV.  1781]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  337 

ishment  of  the  culprits,  could  have  produced.  The 
general  order  of  the  day  directed,  that,  "As  soon  as 
the  feu-de-joy  is  over,  the  arms,  ammunition,  &c. 
are  immediately  to  be  put  in  perfect  order  for  instant 
action.  All  guards,  pickets,  and  sentinels  to  be  vigi 
lant  and  alert  on  their  posts;"  which,  notwithstanding 
the  joy  of  the  day,  was  strictly  observed. 

On  this  occasion  there  were  rejoicings  in  all  parts 
of  the  United  States;  one  instance  seems  to  be  worthy 
of  notice;  the  company  collected  had  determined  to 
burn  Gen.  Arnold  in  effigy  for  his  treachery  at 
West  Point;  just  as  they  were  going  to  commit  the 
effigy  to  the  flames,  one  of  the  company  observed, 
that  one  of  Arnold's  legs  was  wounded  when  he  was 
fighting  bravely  for  America,  that  this  leg  ought  not 
to  be  burnt,  but  amputated;  in  which  the  whole  com 
pany  agreed;  and  this  leg  was  taken  off,  and  safely 
laid  by. 

November  3d. — At  night,  the  escort  with  the  south 
ern  mail,  who  had  put  up  at  Col.  Cooper's,  in  Clark's 
Town,  were  attacked  by  a  gang  of  villains,  who  fired 
into  the  house,  and  killed  the  Sergeant  dead  on  the 
spot,  and  wounded  Capt.  Champion,  of  Connecticut, 
who  had  put  up  at  the  same  house,  in  the  shoulder; 
the  Corporal  of  the  escort  behaved  well,  threw  the 
mail  behind  a  bed,  and  defended  the  house — the 
assailants  made  off. 

The  same  day,  the  foragers  returned  from  below 
the  lines  with  a  large  quantity  of  forage,  and  two 
prisoners,  taken  near  Col.  Phillipse's. 

5th. — A  Hessian  yager  came  in,  with  his  horse 
and  equipments  complete. 

yth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  New  York; 
they  left  the  city  the  evening  before — they  were  very 
intelligent;  by  them  it  was  learnt  that  the  British 
fleet  returned  to  Sandy  Hook,  the  preceding  Satur- 


338  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [NOV.  1781 

day  was  a  week — that  no  action  happened  while  they 
were  at  sea — that  the  troops  were  disembarked  from 
the  men-of-war,  but  remained  on  board  the  trans 
ports — that  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  landed  on  Long 
Island,  and  came  across  to  the  city. 

8th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  the  north 
ward  that  the  enemy  did  not  establish  a  post  at  Ti- 
conderoga,  but  were  returning  towards  Canada;  and 
the  militia  which  had  been  called  out,  were  dismissed. 
The  British  at  New  York  at  this  time  wished  to 
strike  some  of  the  posts  in  the  Highlands,  but  did 
not  attempt  any  of  them.  The  army  was  short  of 
flour,  but  amply  supplied  with  meat. 

About  this  time,  our  General  received  a  letter  from 
Gen.  Washington,  dated  at  York,  (Virginia)  October 
27th,  1781,  in  which,  among  other  things,  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief  observes:  "There  will  be  no  occa 
sion  for  forwarding  on  any  more  beef  cattle  from 
the  northward  for  this  army.  Should  there  be  a 
greater  quantity  of  cattle  sent  from  the  New  England 
States]  than  the  daily  consumption  of  your  army  shall 
require,  I  would  wish  the  surplus  might  be  salted  (if 
practicable)  at  some  convenient  place  on  the  North 
River;  otherwise,  it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  give 
orders  to  the  Agents  and  Commissaries,  to  prevent 
their  sending  more  cattle  than  you  shall  have  occa 
sion  for."  This  was  the  good  fruit  of  the  systematic 
arrangement. 

1 2th. — Gen.  Glover,  with  his  own  brigade,  marched 
for  the  lines,  in  order  to  cover  a  grand  forage. 

1 3th. — Lieut.  Deforest,  of  the  Connecticut  line, 
with  25  Continental  soldiers,  and  Capt.  Lockwood, 
with  15  volunteers,  including  Lieutenants  Hull  and 
Mead,  of  the  Connecticut  State  troops,  took  an  armed 
sloop  of  10  carriage-guns,  with  25  soldiers  on  board. 


DEc.i78i]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  339 

Lieut.  Deforest,  and  those  with  him,  behaved  with 
great  address  and  gallantry. 

1 6th. — Brig.  Gen.  Glover  returned  from  the  grand 
forage;  during  the  forage  one  of  the  enemy  was 
killed,  and  two  taken  prisoners;  a  quantity  of  corn, 
hay,  &c.  and  about  40  swine,  were  brought  off. 

iyth. — The  3d  Massachusetts  brigade  moved  to 
their  ground  of  cantonment,  south  of  the  north  re 
doubt,  where  they  built  their  huts. 

1 9th.— Admiral  Digby  remained  at  New  York, 
with  seven  sail  of  the  line,  five  of  74,  and  two  of  64 
guns,  two  fifties,  two  frigates,  one  20  gun  ship,  and 
two  sloops  of  war;  the  remainder  of  the  British  fleet 
under  the  command  of  Admiral  Greaves,  sailed  from 
Sandy  Hook  the  preceding  Monday,  for  the  West 
Indies;  a  great  number  of  shipping,  perhaps  300  sail, 
were  lying  in  New  York  harbour;  the  enemy  and 
inhabitants  appeared  much  dejected. 

2Oth. — Col.  Tupper,  with  the  loth  Massachusetts 
regiment,  a  detachment  of  artillery,  &c.  arrived  at 
West  Point  from  Albany. 

23d. — The  Connecticut  line  marched  to  their  can 
tonment,  back  of  Constitution  Island,  and  the  corps 
of  artillery  to  West  Point.  The  same  day,  Maj. 
Gen.  Lord  Sterling  returned  to  the  army  from 
Albany. 

24th. — Our  General  removed  his  quarters  from 
the  Continental  Village  to  Robinson's  Farm,  for 
winter-quarters.  The  army  in  want  of  flour  and 
forage. 

28th. — The  ist  Massachusetts  brigade  moved  to 
their  cantonment,  back  of  West  Point. 

December  2d. — The  militia  which  had  been  called 
out  for  3  months  were  returning  home.  They  had 
served  with  much  reputation,  and  done  good  service 
for  their  country- 


340  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  I78r 

4th. — Capt.  Sackett,  of  the  New  York  levies,  near 
Harrison's  Purchase,  below  the  lines,  having  gone  a 
small  distance  from  his  detachment,  on  the  morning 
of  the  2d,  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  party  of  the  enemy. 
The  enemy  afterwards  attacked  Lieut.  Mosher,  to 
whom  the  command  of  the  detachment  fell;  Lieut. 
Mosher  and  the  detachment  behaved  with  great 
bravery,  repulsed  the  enemy,  killed  one  of  them  and 
two  horses,  and  wounded  eight  of  the  enemy;  among 
them  a  Capt.  Kipp,  said  mortally;  Colonel  Holmes 
and  Capt.  Kipp  had  their  horses  killed  under  them. 
The  levies  had  not  a  man  killed  or  wounded. 

The  army  were  now  busily  employed  in  building 
their  huts,  which  they  prosecuted  with  great  expe 
dition,  and  soon  rendered  them  comfortable  as  to 
shelter;  but  many  of  the  troops  were  in  a  most  naked 
and  distressed  condition  as  to  clothing;  but  relief 
was  daily  arriving  from  the  eastward. 

8th. — The  officers  and  soldiers,  who  had  been  in 
Virginia,  were  now  returning  to  the  army.  Some 
of  the  soldiers  brought  the  small-pox  with  them. 

1 2th. — The  river  was  frozen  down  to  Fishkill 
Landing. 

The  1 3th  was  a  general  Thanksgiving  Day;  a 
large  company  of  the  officers  of  the  army  dined  with 
our  General. 

24th. — The  Clothier-General  was  issuing  the  new 
clothing  to  the  regimental  Pay-Masters — a  most  nec 
essary  piece  of  business.  Congress  about  this  time, 
by  resolutions  which  they  passed,  called  upon  the 
Legislatures  of  the  respective  States  to  complete 
their  quotas  of  the  army  by  the  first  of  March  en 
suing,  Congress  being  determined  to  push  the  late 
successes  until  the  enemy  were  driven  from  America. 
The  preceding  day,  viz.  the  23d,  Capt.  Williams,  of 
the  New  York  levies,  (stationed  on  the  lines)  with  25 


jAN.i782]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  341 

volunteer  horse,  made  an  excursion  to  Morrisania, 
where  they  took  and  brought  off  prisoners,  one  Cap 
tain,  one  Lieutenant,  and  seven  privates,  of  Delancey's 
corps,  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  Capt.  Williams 
conducted  this  enterprise  with  address  and  gallantry. 
Capt.  Pritchard  moved  down  with  a  detachment  of 
Continental  troops,  to  cover  the  horse,  if  necessary; 
but  the  enemy  did  not  come  out. 

26th. — Five  deserters  came  in  from  Arnold's  corps, 
with  their  horses,  &c.  complete;  they  were  a  patrol 
to  a  foraging  party,  near  Col.  Phillipse's.  An  em 
barkation  of  troops  was  taking  place  at  New  York, 
for  Charleston  and  Savannah;  Gen.  Leslie  having 
written,  that  without  a  reinforcement  he  could  not 
maintain  his  posts. 

27th. — Free  Masons  celebrated  the  feast  of  St. 
John,  &c. 

3 1 st. — The  river  was  a  little  freed  of  the  ice. 
Thus  closed  the  year  1781,  a  year  which  will  be 
memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  United  States  of 
America  for  the  capture  of  Earl  Cornwallis  and  his 
army — for  several  well-fought  battles  in  the  south  by 
Gen.  Greene  and  the  British,  in  that  quarter — for  the 
Count  de  Grasse's  having  visited  our  coast  with  the 
most  formidable  fleet  ever  before  in  these  seas — and 
for  general  successes  on  the  American  arms,  under 
the  smiles  of  Divine  Providence,  in  every  quarter. 
May  the  new  year  be  rendered  more  auspicious  in 
the  completion  of  the  American  warfare,  and  in 
the  establishment  of  the  United  States  in  the  full 
acknowledgement  of  independence,  peace  and 
happiness. 

1782.  January  1st. — A  new  mode  of  supplying 
the  army  by  contract  commenced,  under  the  conduct 
of  Comfort  Sands  and  Co.,  contractors. 

7th. — Nine  soldiers  had  then  died  of  the  small-pox: 


342  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [JAN.  1782 

it  was  spreading,  and  it  was  determined  to  inoculate 
such  as  had  not  had  the  distemper,  which  took  place 
in  the  Connecticut  line  on  the  nth. 

nth. — Capt.  Hunnewell,  of  New  York,  with  a 
number  of  volunteer  horse,  covered  by  Maj.  Tres- 
cott,  with  a  detachment  of  Continental  troops,  made 
an  excursion  to  Morrisania,  took  and  brought  off 
prisoners  Capt.  Totten,  and  three  privates  of  De- 
lancey's  corps;  it  was  the  intent  to  have  captured  the 
Colonel,  but  he  was  absent  from  his  quarters.  A 
party  of  the  enemy's  horse  collected  and  pursued 
Capt.  Hunnewell,  but  they  were  checked  by  Major 
Trescott,  and  no  injury  was  sustained. 

I4th. — It  was  learnt  that  on  the  4th,  a  fleet  of  25 
sail  of  victuallers  arrived  at  New  York  from  Cork, 
under  convoy  of  the  Quebec  frigate;  ten  sail  more 
were  left  at  Charleston,  where  the  whole  touched. 

i6th. — The  river  was  hard  frozen  again,  and  was 
passable  on  the  ice  from  West  Point  to  Constitution 
Island.  The  same  day,  a  sergeant  and  four  dragoons 
came  in  from  Arnold's  corps,  with  six  horses  and 
furniture  complete.  The  sixth  dragoon  would  not 
come  off,  on  which  the  others  took  from  him  his 
horse,  cloak,  sword,  &c.  They  deserted  from  a 
foraging  party,  and  reported  that  a  great  part  of  the 
corps  would  desert  when  opportunity  offered. 

lyth. — Three  dragoons  came  in  from  Arnold's 
corps,  with  their  horses,  &c.  complete;  and  one  pri- 
sonertaken  by  our  guides  near  Morrisania  was  sent  up. 

1 8th. — Lieut.  Hiwill,  crossing  the  river  on  the  ice, 
fell  through,  but  fortunately  got  out  again. 

iQth. — It  was  communicated,  that  about  the  month 

of  the  preceding  October,  one  -  was  offered 

two  thousand  guineas  to  take  Gen.  Washington,  and 
five  hundred  to  take  and  bring  in  Gov.  Read. 

2Oth. — News  was  received   that  the   Marquis  de 


FEB.i782]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  343 

Boullie,  Governor  of  Martinique,  had  recaptured  the 
Island  of  St.  Eustatia,  where  he  made  prisoners  of 
670  men.  The  Count  De  Grasse,  with  31  sail  of  the 
line,  had  arrived  at  Martinique  before  the  6th  of  De 
cember.  The  British  fleet  from  New  York  had 
arrived  at  Barbadoes. 

24th. — Some  uneasiness  having  taken  place  on  ac 
count  of  the  issues  of  provisions  under  the  contract, 
the  officers  commanding  brigades  were  ordered,  on 
the  part  of  the  army,  to  endeavour  an  adjustment 
with  the  contractors,  who  went  for  the  purpose. 

28th. — A  man  and  his  horse  fell  through  the  ice, 
near  West  Point;  several  soldiers  lent  their  assistance, 
but  in  vain — both  were  drowned. 

3 1  st. — The  whole  of  the  troops  who  had  not  before 
had  the  small-pox  were  then  under  the  operation  of 
inoculation — their  number  near  2,000;  several  had 
died,  but  in  general  it  was  very  favourable. 

February  8th. — News  was  received,  that  the  Duke 
de  Lauzun,  who  carried  to  France  the  news  of  the 
capture  of  Earl  Cornwallis,  arrived  in  France  in  23 
days  after  he  left  the  Chesapeake;  that  there  were 
great  rejoicings  in  France  on  the  occasion,  and  also 
for  the  birth  of  a  Dauphin. 

loth. — The  river  had  been  passable  on  the  ice  for 
several  days,  at  King's  Ferry.  On  the  preceding 
Thursday,  about  50  of  Delancey's  horse  came  out 
within  four  miles  of  Chappaqua,  where  they  halted. 
On  the  8th,  they  moved  towards  North  Castle,  but 
turned  off  by  Wright's  Mills;  from  thence  to  King- 
street,  and  towards  Horseneck;  they  fell  in  with  a 
small  guard  of  Gen.  Waterbury's — killed  one,  and 
made  four  prisoners;  they  also  took  two  or  three 
inhabitants,  plundered  two  houses,  and  returned. 
About  this  time,  a  detachment  from  the  Jersey  line 


344  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  i782 

made  an  attempt  on  the  refugee  post  at  Bergen,  but 
were  repulsed. 

I yth. — The  King  of  England's  speech  to  his  Par 
liament  came  to  hand:  this  speech  was  more  mod 
erate  than  any  before  had  been,  and  an  inclination 
to  pacification  was  discernible. 

2Oth. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  Arnold's  corps, 
and  also  two  Hessians;  ten  had  come  in  during  the 
course  of  two  or  three  days. 

2 1 st. — The  enemy  were  out  towards  Bedford. 
About  this  time,  nine  or  ten  thousand  stand  of  arms, 
and  a  large  quantity  of  powder,  brought  from  France 
by  Col.  Laurens,  were  brought  from  Boston  to 
Fishkill. 

23d. — A  detachment,  consisting  of  150  men,  prop 
erly  officered,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Maxwell, 
marched  for  Stamford  to  cover  that  part  of  the 
country. 

27th. — Col.  Sumner  arrived  from  Massachusetts; 
he  brought  on  about  2,000  suits  of  clothes  for  the 
army.  The  day  before,  a  Mr.  Dyckman,  one  of  our 
guides  on  the  lines,  with  13  volunteer  horsemen, 
made  an  excurison  to  Morrisania,  took  five  prison 
ers  of  Delancey's  corps,  and  five  horses;  on  their  re 
turn  they  were  pursued  by  a  party  of  the  enemy's 
horse,  who  coming  rather  too  near,  the  brave  vol 
unteers  faced  about,  charged  vigorously,  took  one 
man  prisoner  with  his  horse,  and  put  the  rest  to 
flight.  The  enemy  again  appeared  in  some  force  at 
a  distance,  but  dared  not  to  renew  the  attack.  About 
this  time,  a  fleet  of  transports  sailed  from  New  York 
to  the  southward;  it  was  conjectured  to  bring  away 
troops. 

March  3d. — The  river  was  so  freed  of  ice  that 
the  General's  barge  crossed  to  West  Point.  Two 
prisoners  of  war  taken  from  Delancey's  corps  were 


MARCH,  i782]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  345 

sent  up.  Accounts  from  Massachusetts  announced 
an  uneasiness  among  the  people  respecting  the  bur 
den  of  taxes;  and  that  there  had  been  conventions 
in  the  counties  of  Hampshire  and  Berkshire. 

4th. — Capt.  Hunnewell,  with  a  body  of  volunteer 
horse,  backed  by  the  infantry  under  the  command  of 
Maj.  Woodbridge,  made  an  excursion  to  Morrisania. 
The  horse  proceeded  down  between  the  British  fort 
No.  8,  and  the  cantonment  of  Delancey's  corps,  and 
having  turned  the  cantonments  between  daybreak 
and  sunrise,  they  entered  pell-mell.  The  enemy 
were  completely  surprised,  and  fled  in  every  direc 
tion;  some  were  cut  down  on  the  spot,  others  so 
badly  wounded  as  not  to  be  able  to  be  removed. 
Some  of  the  enemy  availed  themselves  of  positions 
where  the  horse  could  not  assail  them,  from  whence 
they  began  to  fire  on  the  horse;  this  occasioned  the 
firing  of  the  alarm  guns  at  No.  8.  The  horse  having 
nearly  accomplished  their  design,  moved  ofF,  taking 
the  East  Chester  road,  on  which  Maj.  Woodbridge 
had  posted  the  infantry  in  ambuscade.  Capt.  Hun 
newell  had  brought  off  one  subaltern  and  20  men 
prisoners,  and  20  horses.  The  enemy  in  the  vicinity 
collected  a  number  of  horse,  backed  by  light-infantry, 
and  pursued  Capt.  Hunnewell  until  he  came  to  Maj. 
Woodbridge.  The  enemy  were  drawn  into  the  am 
buscade,  who  made  one  or  two  discharges  on  them, 
on  which  they  broke  and  retired,  but  soon  returned 
to  the  charge;  skirmishing  ensued,  and  continued  to 
a  considerable  distance.  Of  the  Americans,  two 
privates  were  killed — Mr.  Dyckman,  one  of  the 
guides,  a  brave  and  active  man,  mortally  wounded, 
and  three  privates  slightly  wounded.* 

The  enemy  at  New  York  were  now  contemplating 
means  for  their  own  defence,  against  the  next  cam- 

*  See  Appendix  XLI. 


346  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH,  1782 

paign;  and  it  was  determined  to  open  a  canal  and 
strong  lines  from  the  Hudson  to  the  East  River,  at 
some  distance  from  the  city.  The  canal  was  to  be 
deep  and  wide;  2,000  men  were  employed  on  the 
works  on  one  day,  300  of  whom  were  inhabitants. 
The  same  number  were  to  be  furnished  daily.  These 
preparations  were  a  defensive  shield  for  the  time  of 
approaching  negotiation;  for  from  the  debates  and 
speeches  in  the  British  Parliament  the  olive-branch 
was  evidently  putting  forth  its  buds. 

loth. — Two  soldiers  belonging  to  the  6th  Massa 
chusetts  regiment,  having  some  words  respecting 
their  mess,  one  of  them  struck  the  other  with  his 
fist  a  blow  on  the  head,  and  killed  him  dead  on  the 
spot.  About  the  same  time,  an  inhabitant,  appre 
hending  that  some  soldiers  were  about  to  rob  his 
hen-roost,  discharged  a  musket  out  of  a  window,  by 
which  a  soldier  was  killed. 

I3th. — Maj.  Gen.  Lincoln,  Secretary  at  War,  ar 
rived  at  the  army  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia. 

At  this  time  it  was  learnt  that  on  the  I3th  of  the 
preceding  December  there  were  strong  debates  in  the 
British  House  of  Commons,  respecting  the  carrying 
on  the  war  in  America.  When  Sir  James  Lowther 
made  a  motion  that  the  mode  which  had  been  pur 
sued  was  ineffectual,  many  members  spoke  for  and 
against  the  motion;  when  it  was  put,  there  was 
against  the  motion,  220;  for  it,  179;  majority,  41. 

I4th. — Lieut.  Harris,  with  six  men  belonging  to 
Capt.  Vermilye's  company  of  militia,  having  obtained 
intelligence  of  a  party  of  Delancey's  corps  being  at  a 
house  near  Mile  Square,  had  the  address  to  surprise 
the  whole  party,  consisting  of  12,  killed  one  and 
made  four  prisoners. 

21  st. — A  duel  was  fought  at  West  Point  between 
Capt.  -  —  and  Lieut.  —  — ,  when  the  former  was 


MARCH,  1782]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  347 

killed  and  the  latter  wounded:  they  fought  with 
pistols,  at  about  ten  feet  distance.  The  Lieutenant 
absconded. 

25th. — News  was  received  that  the  Islands  of  St. 
Christopher's  and  Nevis  surrendered  to  the  arms  of 
his  most  Christian  Majesty,  on  the  I2th  of  the  pre 
ceding  February.  The  terms  granted  by  the  French 
commandants  were  truly  noble,  and  reflect  the  high 
est  honour  on  them. 

26th. — About  this  time,  putrid  fevers  were  preva 
lent  among  the  American  troops,  and  in  some  in 
stances  proved  mortal.  About  this  time,  an  embar 
kation  of  about  800  troops  took  place  at  New  York; 
their  destination  not  publicly  known. 

28th. — The  whole  army  were  ordered  to  be  in 
readiness  for  instant  action,  or  to  march  to  such 
place  or  places  as  might  stand  in  need  of  aid.  An 
additional  company  was  ordered  to  the  lines,  and 
another  to  Smith's  Clove,  for  the  safety  of  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief,  who  was  on  his  way  from  Philadel 
phia  to  Newburg,  and  was  to  pass  the  Clove,  on  the 
succeeding  Saturday  or  Sunday.  News  was  re 
ceived  that  the  citizens  of  London  and  Westminster 
had  petitioned  the  King,  in  the  strongest  terms,  to 
relinquish  the  American  war. 

29th. — Five  deserters  came  in  from  Arnold's  corps, 
with  their  arms,  &c.  complete.  The  enemy  were 
busily  employed  on  their  canal  and  lines:  a  number 
of  heavy  cannon  had  been  put  on  board  ship  at 
New  York.  About  this  time,  the  British  cruisers 
were  but  too  successful  against  the  Americans,  at 
sea.  A  ship  of  18  guns,  had,  for  some  time,  taken  a 
station  off  Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek. 

3 1  st. — His  Excellency  Gen.  Washington  arrived 
at  Newburg;  he  had  been  absent  from  the  main 
army  since  the  iQth  of  the  preceding  August,  having 


348  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  1782 

spent  the  winter  at  Philadelphia,  after  the  capture 
of  Earl  Cornwallis. 

April  2d. — Our  General  went  up  to  Newburg,  to 
pay  his  respects  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  where 
he  dined,  and  returned  at  evening:  Gen.  Washington 
established  his  quarters  at  Newburg.  On  the  night 
of  the  1st,  a  party  of  Capt.  Fray's  men,  from  the 
water-guard,  being  on  shore,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Hudson,  fell  in  with  a  party  of  our  own  militia,  who, 
in  the  dark,  attacked  each  other;  four  of  the  latter 
were  wounded,  and  eleven  (being  the  whole  of  the 
party)  were  taken  prisoners,  before  the  mistake  was 
discovered.  An  express,  on  his  way  from  St.  John's 
to  New  York,  with  several  letters,  one  in  characters, 
had  been  taken. 

4th. — The  following  [extract]  was  published  in  the 
general  orders: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEWBURG,  April  ^.th,  1782. 
"The  Commander  in  Chief,  having  returned,  and 
resumed  the  command  of  the  main  army,  presents 
his  thanks  to  Maj.  Gen.  Heath,  and  the  troops  which 
have  been  employed  under  his  orders,  for  having 
preserved  the  important  posts  committed  to  his 
charge,  and  covered  the  country  so  successfully 
against  the  depredations  of  the  enemy,  during  the 
absence  of  the  General." 

6th. — The  Commander  in  Chief  visited  West 
Point,  and  reviewed  the  first  Massachusetts  brigade. 
On  his  arrival  at  the  Point,  he  was  saluted  by  the 
discharge  of  13  cannon. 

8th. — Four  deserters  came  in,  three  from  the  42d 
British  regiment,  and  a  seaman  from  the  ship  Venger; 
this  ship,  stationed  in  the  North  River,  mounted  24 
guns,  and  had  two  gun-boats  with  her.  The  enemy 
continued  at  work  on  their  canal  and  lines,  which 


APRIL,  1782]       HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  349 

they  were  making  very  strong.  An  incredible  num 
ber  of  fascines  had  been  made,  during  the  winter,  on 
Long  Island  and  Staten  Island,  strongly  bound  with 
eight  bands;  these  were  placed  in  the  face  of  the 
work,  with  five  pickets  in  each  fascine. 

Qth. — The  Commander  in  Chief  reviewed  the  3d 
Massachusetts  brigade  and  loth  regiment,  and  dined 
with  our  General.  The  same  day,  two  deserters 
came  in  from  the  ship  in  the  river.  The  same  night, 
an  armed  brig,  and  three  boats,  full  of  men,  came  up 
the  Hudson,  and  came  to  anchor  a  little  above  the 
place  where  our  guard-boats  rendezvous,  at  Nyack; 
they  were  early  discovered,  and  the  alarm  given. 
The  soldiers  landed  at  Haverstraw,  about  one  o'clock 
on  the  morning  of  the  loth,  and  took  3  or  4  militia 
men.  It  was  supposed  that  their  design  was  to  have 
taken  our  whale-boats :  they  were  refugees  and  sailors. 
Not  knowing  but  this  might  have  been  a  feint  to 
an  attack  on  the  lines,  200  men  were  detached  for 
their  support,  if  necessary.  The  enemy  returned 
down  the  river  in  the  afternoon,  having,  in  addition 
to  the  militia  above  mentioned,  taken  two  of  Capt. 
Fray's  men,  who  were  out,  burning  coal,  and  two 
others  who  were  over  at  Tarrytown  fishing,  and 
destroyed  some  seines.  It  was  learnt,  from  the  north 
ward,  that  the  enemy  were  repairing  and  building 
boats  at  St.  John's,  and  bringing  up  provisions  to 
that  place;  this  rendered  it  probable  that  the  enemy 
would  be  troublesome  in  that  quarter  the  ensuing 
campaign.  Several  parties  of  Indians  had  been 
skulking  about,  on  the  Mohawk  River,  had  killed  a 
soldier  and  a  lad,  and  had  taken  a  soldier  prisoner, 
and  burnt  a  building. 

I4th. — Three  deserters  came  in  from  Robinson's 
corps;  they  made  their  escape  from  Long  Island  by 
crossing  the  Sound  in  a  canoe.  They  reported  that 


350  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i782 

the  enemy  were  under  great  apprehensions  of  an  at 
tack,  and  were  making  every  preparation  for  defence; 
that  62,000  fascines  had  been  made  on  Long  Island, 
during  the  winter  and  spring.  A  fleet  of  transports 
had  arrived  at  New  York,  from  Charleston.  Lines 
were  traced  out  on  Long  Island,  from  the  great  fort 
to  the  marsh,  near  M'Gowan's  mill-dam. 

1 8th. — It  was  learnt,  that  the  enemy  had  laid  an 
embargo  on  the  shipping  at  New  York.  News  was 
received  that  Holland  had  formed  an  alliance  with 
France,  and  that  a  Spanish  fleet  had  arrived  in  the 
West  Indies. 

i Qth. — The  general  officers,  and  officers  com 
manding  brigades  and  regiments,  met  at  our  Gen 
eral's  quarters,  in  consequence  of  orders  from  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  to  give  an  opinion  what  meas 
ures  ought  to  be  adopted,  in  consequence  of  the  horrid 
and  brutal  murder  of  a  Capt.  Huddy,  who  had  com 
manded  a  block-house  at  Tom's  River,  in  the  Jerseys, 
and  had  been  taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy,  and 
carried  to  New  York,  where  he  was  closely  confined, 
under  guard,  and  in  the  sugar-house,  and  on  board 
a  vessel,  in  irons,  and  then  carried  over  to  Bergen,  in 
the  Jerseys,  and  hanged  by  the  refugees,  a  Capt. 
Lippincott  directing  the  execution.  This  was  done 
under  the  pretence  that  Capt.  Huddy  had  been  con 
cerned  in  the  death  of  one  Philip  White,  although 
White  was  killed  by  the  guard,  from  whom  he  en 
deavoured  to  make  his  escape,  and  Capt.  Huddy 
was  at  the  same  time  a  prisoner  with  the  enemy. 
Huddy  was  left  hanging  on  a  tree,  with  the  following 
label  fastened  on  his  breast:  "Up  goes  Huddy  for 
Philip  White."  This  wanton  and  cruel  act  so  exas 
perated  the  inhabitants  of  New  Jersey  that  they  drew 
up  a  petition,  signed  by  a  vast  number  of  respectable 
citizens,  claiming  of  Gen.  Washington,  as  the  military 


APRIL,  1782]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  351 

guardian  of  their  country,  the  obtainment  of  justice 
for  this  horrid  act,  or  retaliation  in  case  justice  was 
refused.  Indeed,  painful  as  the  idea  of  retaliation 
must  be  to  the  feelings  of  humanity,  it  seemed  now 
to  be  the  only  preventative  of  more  horrid  murders. 
Gen.  Washington,  with  his  wonted  prudence  and 
talent  for  investigation,  free  of  all  bias,  ordered  the 
officers  to  assemble  as  before  mentioned,  and  di 
rected  our  General  to  state  to  them  the  occasion  of 
their  being  convened,  and  then  the  following  ques 
tions:  "Shall  there  be  retaliation  for  the  murder  of 
Capt.  Huddy  ?  On  whom  shall  it  be  inflicted  ?  And 
how  shall  the  victim  be  designated?"  The  officers 
assembled  were  forbidden  to  converse  on  the  ques 
tions  submitted  to  them;  each  one  was  to  write  his 
own  opinion,  seal  it  up,  and  address  it  to  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief.  By  this  mode  of  procedure  all 
the  influence  which  some  officers  might  have  on 
others  was  prevented,  and  the  spontaneous  feelings 
of  every  individual  officer  collected.  Col.  Hum 
phreys  and  Col.  Trumbull,  of  the  General's  family, 
attended  the  council,  and  every  direction  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief  was  most  strictly  observed. 
It  was  found  that  the  officers  were  unanimous  in 
their  opinion  that  retaliation  ought  to  take  place; 
that  it  should  be  inflicted  on  an  officer  of  equal  rank, 
viz.  a  Captain;  not  under  convention  or  capitulation, 
but  one  who  had  surrendered  at  discretion;  and  that 
in  designating  such  an  one  it  should  be  done  by  lot. 
The  Commander  in  Chief  was  pleased  to  approve 
of  the  opinion  of  the  officers,  and  wrote  to  the  British 
commander  demanding  justice  for  the  wanton  mur 
der  of  Capt.  Huddy;  informing  the  British  General 
at  the  same  time  that  if  justice  was  not  obtained, 
retaliation  would  most  assuredly  take  place.  At  the 
same  time,  arrangements  were  put  in  train  for  re- 


352  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i7s2 

taliation;  the  names  of  several  British  officers  of 
equal  rank  and  circumstances  were  thrown  together, 
and  a  fair  and  impartial  lot  was  drawn,  when  young 
Capt.  Asgill  was  taken;  he  was  of  a  noble  family, 
his  father  was  dead,  and  on  him  were  the  fond  hopes 
of  his  mother,  Lady  Asgill,  placed.  Indeed,  a  more 
affecting  scene  than  this  can  scarcely  open;  an  inno 
cent  young  man,  doomed  to  suffer  for  the  wanton 
offence  of  another,  which  deed  no  doubt  his  soul 
despised;  and  the  tender  breast  of  a  mother  rent  in 
twain  on  the  fate  of  her  darling  son.  Nor  were  the 
feelings  of  the  great  Washington  unmoved  on  this 
occasion;  they  were  too  manifest  not  to  be  observed, 
and  could  only  be  curbed  by  the  invariable  resolu 
tion,  in  every  exigence,  to  exhibit  the  administrator 
of  justice.  It  was  months  before  this  tragic  business 
closed;  and  that  the  reader  may  have  the  whole 
narrative  together,  it  will  be  carried  forward  to  such 
periods  as  will  render  a  return  back  to  the  proper 
chain  of  events  necessary. 

Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  had  come  into  the 
command  in  chief  at  New  York,  wrote  to  Gen. 
Washington,  assuring  him  of  the  fullest  satisfaction. 

Sir  Guy  ordered  a  court  martial  for  the  trial  of 
Capt.  Lippincott  who  was  charged  with  the  murder 
of  Capt.  Huddy.  The  court  martial  had  set,  and 
given  in  their  proceedings  to  Gen.  Carleton,  who 
wrote  a  letter  to  Gen.  Washington,  requesting  a 
passport  for  Chief  Justice  Smith  to  repair  to  the 
head-quarters  of  the  American  army,  in  order  to  lay 
before  the  Commander  in  Chief  the  proceedings  of 
the  court  martial,  with  other  documents,  which  he 
(Sir  Guy)  had  no  doubt  would  give  full  satisfaction. 

Upon  Gen.  Washington's  receiving  the  letter  from 
Sir  Guy  Carleton,  he  informed  our  General  that  he 
should  not  consent  to,  or  give  a  passport  to  Mr. 


APRIL,  1782]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  353 

Chief  Justice  Smith,  to  come  up  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  court  martial  on  Lippincott;  but  that  he 
would  send  him  (Gen.  Heath)  down  to  Col.  Phillipse's, 
near  Kingsbridge,  to  meet  such  officer  of  equal  rank, 
as  Sir  Guy  Carleton  might  think  proper  to  send  out 
to  meet  him,  with  the  proceedings  of  the  court  mar 
tial,  &c.;  and  on  the  3Oth  of  July  the  Commander  in 
Chief  wrote  to  our  General  as  follows: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  ^oth  July,  1782. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"FOR  your  information,  and  that  you  may  know 
the  object  of  your  mission,  I  inclose  to  you  a  trans 
cript  of  my  letter  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  which  is 
herewith  committed  to  your  care,  to  be  forwarded 
as  soon  as  possible. 

"  Before  the  time  of  your  going  to  Phillipse's  house, 
I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  or  conveying 
to  you  in  writing  my  sentiments  more  fully  on  the 
subject  of  your  meeting. 

With  great  regard,   &c. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

(Copy.) 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  July  31^,  1782. 
"SiR, 

"IN  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  25th,  I  have  to 
inform  your  Excellency,  that  Maj.  Gen.  Heath, 
second  in  command,  with  two  aides-de-camp,  will 
have  the  honour  of  meeting  an  officer  of  equal  rank, 
of  your  Excellency's  appointment,  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Phillipse,  on  the  5th  day  of  August  next.  At 
that  time  Gen.  Heath  will  receive  from  your  officer 
the  proceedings  of  the  court  martial  on  Capt.  Lip 
pincott,  for  the  murder  of  Capt.  Huddy,  together 


354  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i782 

with  such  other  documents  as  you  shall  think  proper 
to  communicate. 

"The  assurance  which  your  Excellency  has  given 
me,  of  the  fullest  satisfaction  in  this  matter,  is  as 
pleasing  as  it  is  interesting. 

"Your  Excellency's  propositions,  contained  in 
your  letter  of  the  yth,  have  been  communicated  to 
Congress,  and  are  now  under  the  consideration  of 
that  honourable  body;  as  soon  as  I  am  favoured  with 
their  determination,  your  Excellency  may  be  assured 
I  will  do  myself  the  honour  to  communicate  it. 
I  have  the  honour,  &c. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Sir  GUY  CARLETON." 

"By  his  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General 
and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  forces  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

"To  Maj.  Gen.  HEATH. 
"Sm, 

"HIS  Excellency  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  having  re 
quested  a  passport  for  Chief  Justice  Smith,  to  repair 
to  the  head-quarters  of  the  American  army,  in  order 
to  lay  before  me  the  proceedings  of  a  court  martial, 
on  the  trial  of  Capt.  Lippincott  for  the  murder  of 
Capt.  Huddy,  with  other  documents  and  explana 
tions,  which,  he  says,  'he  has  no  doubt  will  give  full 
satisfaction': 

"  I  do,  therefore,  from  an  earnest  desire  to  proceed 
with  candour  and  deliberate  justice,  appoint  you  to 
meet  an  officer  of  equal  rank,  at  the  house  of  Col. 
Phillips,  on  Monday  the  5th  instant,  or  at  any  other 
time  or  place  which  you  may  think  more  convenient, 
for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  proceedings  and 
documents  above  mentioned,  with  such  explanations 
in  writing  as  he  may  think  proper  to  communicate. 


APRIL,  1782]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  355 

The  papers  you  shall  receive,  you  will  transmit  to 
me  as  soon  as  your  business  is  concluded,  together 
with  a  report  of  your  proceedings  therein. 

"  Given  at  head-quarters,  this  3d  day  of  August, 
1782. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

By  his  Excellency's  command." 

The  following  instructions  accompanied  the  fore 
going  commission: 

"To  Maj.  Gen.  HEATH. 
"SiR, 

"HAVING  desired  you  to  meet  an  officer  from  Sir 
Guy  Carleton,  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  your 
appointment  and  authority,  you  will  proceed  to  exe 
cute  said  business;  in  the  course  of  which,  you  may 
inform  the  officer  you  meet,  that,  as  I  have  no  con 
nection  with,  or  control  over  any  person  in  the  line 
in  which  Mr.  Smith  walks;  as  the  question  before 
us  is  in  my  opinion  purely  of  a  military  nature,  and 
reduceable  to  this  single  point,  whether  the  perpe 
trator  of  the  wanton  and  cruel  murder  of  Huddy 
is  to  be  given  up,  or  a  British  officer  to  suffer  in  his 
place,  that  I  could  see  no  propriety  or  necessity  in 
an  interview  with  the  Chief  Justice. 

"If  you  should  find  that  the  design  of  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  is  to  procrastinate  this  business,  to  envelope 
it  in  as  much  intricacy  and  difficulty  as  possible,  or 
that  he  means  to  justify  it  by  recrimination  and  law 
cases,  thereby  attempting  to  avert  our  purposes  of 
retaliation,  you  may  assure  him,  (unless  you  shall 
judge  it  expedient  to  leave  me  more  at  liberty)  if  not 
explicitly,  at  least  by  strong  insinuation,  that  he 
will  miss  his  aim;  and  that  my  deliberate  and  dispas 
sionate  proceedings  in  this  case  are  intended  to  give 


356  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  1782 

him,  as  he  now  has  had,  full  time  to  determine 
whether  the  guilty  person  or  an  innocent  officer  shall 
be  made  the  subject  of  retaliation. 

"You  will  be  particularly  cautious  that  whatever 
passes  in  the  conference  you  are  to  have,  which  is  to 
be  considered  as  official,  be  committed  to  writing, 
that  no  omissions  or  misconceptions  may  be  plead 
hereafter;  and  you  will  inform  the  officer  in  explicit 
terms,  if  you  find  the  matter  is  not  likely  to  end  as 
justice  dictates  and  we  could  wish,  that  all  oral  con 
versation  will  be  excluded  from  the  official  report  of 
these  proceedings  now,  or  any  share  in  the  account 
of  them  hereafter,  or  the  recital  of  them  will  be  con 
sidered  as  unfair,  and  an  evident  departure  from 
that  line  of  rectitude  which  we  wished  to  pursue,  for 
an  unbiassed  world  to  judge  by. 

"If,  notwithstanding  my  letter  to  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton,  requesting  his  appointment  of  an  officer  of  your 
rank  to  meet  you  on  this  business,  he  should  send 
Mr.  Chief  Justice  Smith,  you  may,  at  your  discre 
tion,  either  receive  the  proceedings  of  the  court,  and 
such  other  documents  as  he  is  merely  the  bearer  of, 
without  going  into  any  explanation  with  this  gentle 
man,  or  refuse  the  whole,  as  the  circumstances  of 
the  moment  shall  dictate  to  you.  Or  if  this  gen 
tleman  should  be  an  attendant  on  the  officer  afore 
mentioned,  you  may  refuse  to  admit  him  at  your 
conference.  In  the  first  case,  you  may  either  return 
with  the  proceedings,  &c.  or  you  may  write  Sir  Guy 
Carleton,  that  you  will  wait  a  given  time  for  an 
officer,  agreeable  to  the  purport  of  my  letter  to  him 
of  the  3Oth  of  last  month. 

"Given    at    head-quarters,    Newburg,    August 
3d,  1782. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON." 


APRIL,  1782]        HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  357 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  our  General 
received  the  following  letter  from  the  Commander 
in  Chief: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  August  3^,  1782. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"BY  the  contents  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton's  letter, 
which  came  inclosed  in  yours  of  this  day,  I  find  it  is 
unnecessary  for  you  to  proceed  to  Phillipse's  house. 
Disappointed  in  not  obtaining  a  passport  for  Mr. 
Chief  Justice  Smith  to  come  out,  he  will  not,  he  says, 
trouble  an  officer  of  your  rank  to  be  the  bearer  of  a 
bundle  of  papers  only;  but  adds,  they  shall  be  sent 
out  in  the  ordinary  course  of  conveyance.  Your 
letter  to  Col.  Trumbull,  covering  the  new  adopted 
system  of  issues,  &c.  is  received. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

Not  long  after,  the  proceedings  of  the  court- 
martial  on  Capt.  Lippincott  for  the  murder  of  Capt. 
Huddy  were  sent  out;  Lippincott  was  acquitted  by 
the  court,  and  it  appeared  that  the  British  Com 
manders  in  Chief,  both  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  Sir 
Guy  Carleton,  disapproved  the  act.  It  seemed  that 
a  kind  of  Board  of  Directors  who  had  a  subordinate 
direction  of  the  refugee  operations,  were  somehow 
concerned  in  this  business,  and  that  argument  and 
some  artifice  were  necessary  to  smooth  it  over.  How 
ever,  Gen.  Washington,  painful  as  his  task  was,  was 
not  to  be  diverted  from  justice  or  retaliation;  but 
execution  was  suspended.  Lady  Asgill,  learning  the 
unhappy  situation  of  her  darling  son,  with  much 
policy,  and  equal  success,  applied  to  the  Count  de 
Vergennes,  then  Prime  Minister  of  France,  who 
spread  the  matter  before  the  King  and  Queen:  indeed 
it  was  a  subject  that  needed  no  extra  colouring  to  fix 


358  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i782 

it  on  the  mind  of  humanity.  The  King  and  Queen 
listened  to  the  request;  and  Congress  was  addressed 
in  a  representation,  that  the  French,  as  well  as  Amer 
ican  arms,  were  victorious  at  York;  and  that  the 
former  seemed  to  have  some  share  in  the  prisoners; 
and  hinted  that  it  would  be  pleasing  to  the  French 
Court,  if  young  Asgill  was  pardoned — which  Con 
gress  complied  with:  and  although  reparation  for  the 
wanton  murder  of  Capt.  Huddy  was  not  fully  ob 
tained,  yet  it  is  highly  probable,  that  the  firm  and 
determined  conduct  of  Gen.  Washington  on  the 
occasion  put  a  final  stop  to  any  further  repetition  of 
the  kind. 

Sir  Guy  Carleton  was  probably  the  greatest  gen 
eral  which  the  British  had  in  America  during  the 
war;  and  it  was  fortunate  for  the  Americans  that  he 
was  so  long  kept  within  the  limits  of  Canada.  In 
him  were  combined  many  of  those  great  qualifications 
which  form  the  general. 

When  Sir  Guy  visited  the  American  prisoners  in 
confinement  in  Canada,  he  addressed  them  with  all 
the  tenderness  of  a  father;  he  observed  to  the  young 
prisoners  that  he  did  not  blame  them,  it  was  the 
fault  of  the  designing  men  of  their  country  that  had 
led  them  into  difficulty;  that  he  would  not  hold  them 
in  confinement,  but  would  send  them  home  to  their 
fathers  and  friends.  See  here  the  soothing  art  that 
could  not  fail  to  cool  the  ardour  of  the  young  warrior 
in  the  cause  of  his  country. 

To  Gen.  Waterbury  of  Connecticut,  when  he  shew 
him  his  commission,  Sir  Guy  observed—  "  Your  com 
mission  is  from  the  proper  authority  of  your  Colony; 
(Connecticut  had  not  changed  her  form  of  govern 
ment)  you  are  no  rebel,  Sir;  you  shall  go  home  to 
your  family." 

Soon  after  Sir  Guy  Carleton  came  into  the  com- 


APRIL,  1782]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  359 

mand  at  New  York,  a  Connecticut  soldier,  who  had 
been  a  prisoner,  came  out  to  our  army,  and  requested 
a  pass  to  go  home,  informing  that  he  had  given  a 
parole  to  Sir  Guy,  not  to  serve  again  during  the 
war;  but  he  was  ordered  to  join  his  regiment,  which 
disappointed  the  soldier  exceedingly.  Gen.  Wash 
ington  ordered  the  Commissary  of  Prisoners  to  credit 
the  British  for  one  man  exchanged;  and  informed  Sir 
Guy  that  this  practice  would  not  be  allowed.  Many 
soldiers  were  at  that  time  very  uneasy  in  the  Amer 
ican  army.  Had  a  conduct  of  this  sort  been  allowed, 
many  soldiers  on  the  out-posts  and  otherwise  might 
have  gone  to  the  enemy,  have  pretended  they  were 
taken,  and  have  come  out  under  parole,  and  have 
gone  home,  to  the  unspeakable  injury  of  the  army: 
but  it  was  nipped  in  the  bud — only  one  other  having 
come  out  in  the  same  way,  before  it  was  put  a 
stop  to. 

We  now  return  to  take  up  the  chain  of  events 
from  which  we  digressed. 

The  2Oth  of  April,  two  prisoners  of  war,  taken  near 
Kingstreet,  were  sent  up  by  Major  Oliver. 

2 1 st. — A  Sergeant  Major  deserted  and  came  out; 
he  reported  that  an  enterprise  was  contemplating  at 
New  York,  and  a  number  of  large  boats  were  col 
lecting  at  Turtle  Bay. 

24th. — Two  deserters  came  in  from  the  Adamant 
man-of-war,  of  50  guns,  which  lay  in  the  East  River, 
against  New  York.  Admiral  Digby's  flag  was  then 
hoisted  on  board  the  Centurion.  The  seamen  on 
board  the  ships  very  sickly. 

The  latter  end  of  April,  the  Duke  of  Cumberland 
packet,  Capt.  Dashwood,  arrived  at  New  York,  in 
six  weeks  from  England,  with  the  March  mail:  by 
which  it  was  learnt,  that  the  debates  in  the  British 
Parliament  on  the  American  war  grew  more  and 


360  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [MAY)I782 

more  interesting;  that  a  motion  had  been  made  by 
Gen.  Conway  for  bringing  in  a  bill  empowering  the 
King  to  make  peace  with  America. 

The  beginning  of  May,  the  British  cruisers  were 
very  successful  against  the  Americans;  eleven  sail  of 
vessels  from  Philadelphia  were  taken,  and  carried 
into  New  York,  with  near  9,000  barrels  of  flour. 

May  4th. — This  evening  exhibited  the  most  ex 
traordinary  aurora  borealis  ever  before  seen  by  those 
who  observed  it. 

5th. — It  was  learnt  that  the  merchants  of  Edin 
burgh,  at  a  meeting  on  the  yth  of  the  preceding  Jan 
uary,  declared  and  published  their  sentiments  and 
wishes  for  a  peace  with  America,  and  a  renewal  of 
friendship.  It  was  also  further  learnt,  that  it  was  the 
prevailing  sense  of  the  British  House  of  Commons, 
as  a  first  step  to  an  accommodation  with  America,  to 
change  the  mode  of  carrying  on  the  war,  and  to  act 
only  on  the  defensive,  on  the  continent;  and  that 
the  person  who  should  advise  to  offensive  operations 
against  the  Americans  should  be  considered  as  an 
enemy  to  the  King  and  nation.  At  the  same  time, 
France  and  Holland  appeared  to  be  making  great 
preparations  for  a  vigorous  campaign. 

6th. — Symptoms  of  a  dangerous  mutiny  were  dis 
covered  in  the  Connecticut  line;  it  had  been  con 
ducted  with  so  much  address  as  to  have  been  nearly 
matured  before  it  was  divulged.  Under  the  pressure 
of  real  or  supposed  grievances,  the  soldiers  of  the 
whole  line  had  determined,  at  reveille  the  next  morn 
ing,  to  have  marched  from  their  cantonment  with 
arms,  &c.  complete,  for  Fishkill,  where  they  were  to 
take  a  number  of  field-pieces,  and  such  ammunition 
and  provisions  as  might  be  necessary,  and  then  pro 
ceed  to  Hartford,  and  there  demand  of  their  new 
General  Assembly  that  justice  which  they  supposed 


MAY,i782]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  361 

was  their  due.  Just  as  the  officers  were  going  to 
bed,  a  faithful  soldier,  who  was  waiter  to  an  officer, 
came  into  his  room,  and  told  the  officer  that  he  could 
not  go  to  rest  until  he  divulged  to  him  an  event  which 
would  assuredly  take  place  the  next  morning  at 
break  of  day;  and  that  every  thing  was  then  in 
readiness  for  it — and  laid  open  the  whole  secret. 
The  matter  was  immediately  communicated  to  the 
principal  officers  of  the  line,  and  several  soldiers  were 
seized  and  confined,  and  one  suffered.  The  whole 
design  was  frustrated.  Mutiny  is  a  most  horrid 
offence  in  an  army,  which,  without  strict  order  and 
discipline,  is  but  a  rope  of  sand.  On  the  other  hand, 
human  nature  can  bear  but  to  a  certain  degree,  and 
no  further;  hence  any  trial  of  human  nature,  beyond 
such  a  degree,  is  impolitic,  and  unjustifiable.  Of 
this  line,  it  may  with  strict  justice  be  said,  that  their 
whole  conduct  through  the  war  was  highly 
meritorious. 

yth. — A  stop  was  put  to  the  inoculation  with  the 
small-pox. 

8th. — A  prisoner  was  sent  up,  and  a  deserter  came 
in. 

9th. — News  was  received,  that  there  had  been  a 
total  change  of  the  British  Ministry,  and  that  Fort 
St.  Philip,  and  the  whole  island  of  Minorca,  surren 
dered  to  the  Spaniards,  on  the  6th  of  the  preceding 
February,  by  capitulation. 

1 5th. — Eleven  trusty  Sergeants  were  sent  to  Massa 
chusetts,  to  march  on  the  recruits  to  the  army  from 
that  State. 

1 7th. — Two  deserters  came  in,  who  reported  that 
a  packet  had  arrived  at  New  York  from  England. 

24th. — Near  100  old  and  decrepit  soldiers  were 
collected  from  the  different  regiments,  and  many  of 
them  discharged.  About  this  time,  a  packet  arrived 


362  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         [MAY,i782 

at  Boston,  in  25  days  passage  from  France;  the  letters 
were  immediately  forwarded  to  Congress. 

26th. — The  1st  Massachusetts  brigade  was  ordered 
to  move  out  of  its  cantonment,  and  encamp  near  the 
German  huts. 

The  United  States  of  Holland  acknowledged  the 
independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  the 
28th  of  the  preceding  March. 

There  was  a  great  talk  of  peace  in  New  York. 

In  the  American  army  great  preparations  had  for 
some  time  been  making  to  celebrate  the  birth  of  the 
Dauphin  of  France.  At  least  1,000  men  a  day  were 
employed,  under  the  direction  of  the  engineers  and 
other  artists,  in  constructing  a  most  superb  arbor, 
decorated  with  every  emblem  and  device,  descriptive 
of  the  occasion,  and  the  alliance  between  France  and 
America,  which  ingenuity  could  invent;  and  perhaps 
for  any  thing  of  the  kind,  constructed  in  the  field, 
was  never  surpassed. 

3 1 st. — The  birth  of  the  Dauphin  of  France  was 
celebrated  by  the  American  army.  An  elegant  din 
ner  was  provided,  by  order  of  the  Commander  in 
Chief;  of  which  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  a  great 
number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  invited  from  the 
adjacent  country,  partook.  Thirteen  toasts  were 
drank,  announced  by  the  discharge  of  cannon.  At 
evening  there  was  a  grand  feu-de-joy,  opened  by  the 
discharge  of  13  cannon,  three  times  repeated.  The 
feu-de-joy,  being  fired  in  the  dusk,  had  a  pleasing 
appearance  to  the  eye,  as  well  as  the  ear;  and  was 
so  ordered  for  that  purpose.  The  army  was  not 
formed  in  line,  but  each  brigade  was  drawn  up  in 
front  of  its  own  cantonment,  or  camp,  on  both  sides 
of  the  river;  and  thus  were  in  a  circle  of  several  miles 
circumference,  in  the  centre  of  which,  the  Comman 
der  in  Chief,  and  the  spectators  were  placed.  After 


juNE,i782]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  363 

the  feu-de-joy,  there  was  an  exhibition  of  fire-works, 
&c. 

June  2d. — Information  was  received  that  the 
island  of  New  Providence,  and  its  dependencies, 
were  taken  by  the  Spaniards,  on  the  nth  of  the 
preceding  May.  The  garrison,  which  consisted  of 
about  200  men,  were  sent  to  Europe.  The  new 
frigate  South  Carolina,  built  in  Europe,  arrived  about 
this  time  in  the  Delaware;  she  was  an  exceeding  fine 
ship,  mounting  28  42-pounders  on  one  deck,  and 
12  12-pounders  on  her  quarter  and  fore-castle.  She 
was  commanded  by  Commodore  Gillon. 

There  had  been  a  bloody  engagement  in  the  West 
Indies,  the  I2th  of  the  preceding  April,  between  the 
Count  De  Grasse  and  Admiral  Rodney;  but  all  the 
accounts  had  been  very  vague.  The  British  now 
published  their  account,  and  that  they  took  from  the 
French,  the  Ville  de  Paris,  of  no  guns,  and  1300 
men;  Le  Glorieux,  Le  Caesar,  and  Le  Hector,  of  74 
guns  each;  and  Le  Ardent,  of  64  guns,  and  sunk 
one  ship  of  the  line.  They  acknowledged  to  have 
had  236  men  killed,  and  779  wounded;  among  whom 
were  several  officers.  They  also  boasted  of  having 
obtained  a  very  signal  advantage  in  the  European 
seas,  over  Admiral  Kempelfelt. 

5th. — It  was  reported,  that  a  French  fleet  had  been 
seen  on  the  American  coast.  A  fleet  about  this  time 
sailed  from  New  York,  eastward,  through  the  Sound, 
conjectured  to  be  destined  to  Penobscot.  The  brig 
ades  of  the  American  army  daily  manoeuvred,  and 
fired  to  great  acceptation. 

I4th. — The  British  had  been  removing  a  number 
of  heavy  cannon  and  ordnance  stores  from  their 
works  at  the  north  end  of  New  York  island,  and 
placing  light  pieces  in  the  room  of  them.  A  number 
of  deserters  daily  came  in. 


364  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [juLY,i782 

24th. — The  Commander  in  Chief  sent  the  fol 
lowing  letter  to  our  General: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEWBURG, 

June  24-th,  1782. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"I  AM  this  moment  setting  out  for  Albany,  and 
shall  be  absent  a  few  days.  I  give  you  this  informa 
tion  for  the  regulation  of  your  own  conduct;  and 
request,  in  the  mean  time,  you  will  give  me  any  in 
telligence  you  may  receive,  which  you  shall  deem  of 
sufficient  consequence  for  communication  by  express. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

26th. — It  was  learnt  from  Canada  that  several 
armed  vessels  and  a  number  of  batteaux,  had  come 
up  Lake  Champlain;  there  were  probably  about  300 
men.  A  much  larger  force,  (report  said  3,000)  was 
gone  or  going  towards  Lake  Ontario,  to  establish  a 
post  at  Oswego. 

27th. — Another  ship  came  up  the  North  River, 
and  took  a  station  near  Spuyten  Duyvil  Creek. 

July  2d. — The  Commander  in  Chief  returned  from 
Albany. 

4th. — The  army  fired  a  grand  feu-de-joy,  it  being 
the  anniversary  of  the  Declaration  of  American 
Independence. 

nth. — At  evening,  the  Commander  in  Chief  wrote 
our  General  the  following  letter: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  July  nth,  1782. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"I  HAVE  this  moment  received  a  letter  from 
Count  de  Rochambeau,  (by  one  of  his  aides,  in  5  days 
from  Williamsburg)  informing  me  that  he  is  on  his 


juLY,i782]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  365 


way  to  Philadelphia;  that  he  will  be  there  the 
or  I4th,  and  wishes  for  an  interview  with  me:  for  this 
purpose  I  shall  set  out  in  the  morning,  very  early, 
and  have  only  to  request  your  usual  attention. 

(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

1  3th.  —  Two  prisoners  of  war  were  sent  up,  and 
three  German  deserters  came  in,  and  the  next  day 
a  light  dragoon,  with  his  horse,  &c.  complete.  About 
this  time,  the  southern  mail  was  taken  between 
Philadelphia  and  Morristown. 

1  8th.  —  It  was  learnt  that  on  the  2ist  of  the  pre 
ceding  May,  Gen.  Wayne  obtained   a   considerable 
advantage  over  the  enemy,  with  very  little  loss  on 
his  side,  near  Ogechee,  in  Georgia:  the  enemy  retired 
into    Savannah.     About   this  time,   a   corporal  and 
8   men  deserted  from  our  block-house,   at  Dobb's 
Ferry. 

2  1  st.  —  Three  deserters  came  in.     About  this  time, 
a  fleet  of  about  40  sail  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook,  under 
convoy  of  two  frigates;  they  were  supposed  to  be 
from  Ireland. 

22d.  —  Three  deserters  came  in  from  the  British 
grenadiers;  two  others  deserted  at  the  same  time, 
but  had  not  got  in.  The  same  day,  four  deserters 
came  in  from  the  Hussar  frigate,  and  the  next  day 
three  soldiers.  At  this  time  the  cow  thieves  and 
refugees  were  lurking  in  the  Highlands,  and  detach 
ments  were  sent  out  to  patrol  them. 

26th.  —  Information  was  received  that  a  party  of 
the  enemy,  to  the  number  of  4  or  500,  had  appeared 
on  the  Mohawk  River,  advancing  towards  Fort  Her- 
kimer.  They  killed  a  Continental  soldier. 

27th.  —  Gen.  Washington  returned  to  Newburg 
from  Philadelphia. 


366  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS          [ADG.^S, 

August  ad. — The  British  May  and  June  packets 
had  arrived  at  New  York.  Admiral  Barrington  had 
taken  a  French  man-of-war,  of  74  guns,  and  several 
transports,  destined  for  the  East  Indies.  The  next 
day  it  was  learnt  that  a  French  fleet,  consisting  of 
12  or  13  sail  of  the  line,  and  3  frigates,  had  arrived 
in  the  Chesapeake. 

On  the  ZQth  ult.  a  bloody  engagement  took  place 
off  the  Chesapeake  between  the  French  frigate  Am 
azon,  of  36  guns  and  the  British  frigate  Margaretta, 
which  terminated  in  favour  of  the  latter. 

6th. — Information  was  received  that  the  British 
had  evacuated  Savannah  in  Georgia. 

8th. — Four  deserters  came  in  from  the  enemy. 

loth. — The  prospect  of  an  approaching  peace 
brightened;  Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton  and  Admiral 
Digby  informed  Gen.  Washington  that  Mr.  Grenville 
had  gone  over  to  France  on  the  negotiation  for 
peace,  and  that  the  independence  of  America  was 
to  be  acknowledged  previous  to,  or  as  an  opening  of 
the  negotiation.  The  refugees  at  New  York  were 
greatly  alarmed  at  the  prospect  of  peace.  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  had  notified  the  inhabitants  to  meet  him; 
and  in  Rivington's  paper  of  the  yth  there  appeared 
a  proclamation  advising  the  refugees  to  continue 
their  loyalty,  and  make  themselves  easy  until  the 
event  of  the  negotiation  was  known. 

1 2th. — A  large  stone  magazine,  capable  of  con 
taining  1,000  barrels  of  gun-powder,  was  begun  to  be 
erected  on  Constitution  Island;  it  was  built  upon  the 
principles  of  Monsieur  Vauban,  and  under  the  direc 
tion  of  Maj.  Villefranche. 

1 5th. — It  was  learnt,  that  the  French  fleet,  which 
had  been  at  the  Chesapeake,  had  arrived  at  Boston. 
The  British  troops  evacuated  Savannah  the  nth  of 
July,  leaving  the  town  and  works  uninjured.  Pre- 


AuG.i782]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  367 

vious  to  the  evacuation,  the  refugees  sent  out  to  Gen. 
Wayne,  to  know  if  they  might  depend  on  protection 
in  their  persons  and  property;  they  were  answered  in 
the  affirmative,  until  they  were  delivered  over  to  the 
civil  authority,  who,  they  were  informed,  must  decide 
on  their  case.  When  the  British  left  the  town,  near 
200  of  the  inhabitants  immediately  entered  the  Amer 
ican  service  in  the  Georgia  battalion. 

1 9th. — Three  prisoners  of  war  were  sent  up;  they 
were  taken  near  East  Chester.  Several  deserters 
came  in  about  the  same  time. 

22d. — The  light-infantry  of  the  American  army 
moved  down,  and  encamped  near  Peekskill. 

24th. — Maj.  Gen.  Knox  was  in  the  general  orders 
appointed  to  the  command  of  West  Point.  The 
artillery,  sappers  and  miners,  loth  Massachusetts 
regiment,  and  the  corps  of  invalids,  for  the  garrison. 

From  the  25th  to  the  27th,  inclusive,  7  deserters 
came  in;  they  reported  that  the  sick  of  the  British 
army  were  ordered  to  be  sent  on  board  the  hospital 
ships,  and  not  to  the  hospitals  on  shore.  The  heavy 
baggage  was  also  ordered  to  be  put  on  board  the 
shipping,  the  officers  to  retain  on  shore  no  more  than 
what  was  of  absolute  necessity. 

2Qth. — An  order  of  encampment  and  battle  for 
the  American  army  was  published.  The  army  was 
to  encamp  in  one  line,  with  a  reserve;  the  New 
Jersey  and  New  York  troops  were  to  form  a  division 
under  the  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  St.  Clair;  the 
Connecticut  troops,  a  division  under  Maj.  Gen. 
M'Dougall;  these  two  divisions  to  form  the  right 
wing,  to  be  commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Gates:  the 
New  Hampshire  brigade  and  first  brigade  of  Massa 
chusetts  to  form  a  division  under  the  command  of 
Maj.  Gen.  Lord  Sterling;  the  2d  and  3d  Massachu 
setts  brigades,  a  division  under  the  command  of  Maj. 


368  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [SEPT.  1782 

Gen.  Howe,  these  two  divisions,  forming  the  left 
wing,  under  the  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Heath. 
The  2d  Connecticut  and  3d  Massachusetts  brigades 
to  form  the  reserve;  and  when  the  ground  would 
admit,  form  at  200  paces  in  the  rear  of  the  army. 
Maj.  Gen.  Lord  Sterling  was  ordered  to  Albany  to 
take  the  command  of  that  part  of  his  division  which 
was  then  in  that  quarter. 

3 1  st. — As  many  of  the  army  as  could  be  carried 
in  the  boats  embarked  at  their  respective  brigade 
landings;  and  the  whole  of  the  boats  being  formed 
in  order,  fell  down  the  river  to  Verplanck's  Point, 
where  the  troops  disembarked  and  encamped.  They 
made  a  most  beautiful  appearance  when  in  the  boats 
and  in  motion.  The  remainder  of  the  army  marched 
down  by  land. 

September  1st. — Information  was  received  that 
the  British  were  on  the  eve  of  evacuating  Charleston, 
South  Carolina.  The  season  was  remarkably  dry, 
both  to  the  eastward  and  southward;  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  the  army  could  obtain  a  supply  of 
water.  About  this  time,  an  embarkation  of  Hessian 
troops  took  place  at  New  York. 

7th. — There  was  a  grand  review  and  manoeuvre 
of  the  army  which  gave  great  satisfaction.  The 
July  packet  arrived  at  New  York  about  this  time;  it 
appeared  that  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham  had  died, 
that  Mr.  Fox  and  Lord  Cavendish  had  resigned  their 
places,  and  that  Lord  Shelburne  was  appointed  one 
of  the  Secretaries  of  State. 

I4th. — The  American  army  was  under  arms  to 
receive  Gen.  Count  de  Rochambeau;  after  his  re 
ception  the  army  defiled  before  him,  and  returned 
to  their  respective  encampments.  The  French  army 
was  now  arriving  from  the  southward;  they  en 
camped  to  the  south  of  Peekskill  as  they  arrived. 


SEPT.  1782]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  369 

1 6th. — The  enemy  made  a  grand  forage  near  Val 
entine's  Hill;  Sir  Guy  Carleton  was  out  in  person, 
as  was  the  young  Prince.  The  covering  party,  it 
was  said,  consisted  of  5  or  6,000  men;  a  number 
deserted.  The  American  army  at  this  time  was  in 
great  want  of  forage,  occasioned  by  the  dry  season. 

1 8th. — The  last  of  the  French  army  arrived. 

20th. — Gen.  Washington  reviewed  the  French 
army;  the  troops  made  a  fine  appearance.  A  French 
frigate  had  been  run  on  shore  in  the  Delaware,  and 
taken  by  the  enemy. 

2 1 st. — The  American  army  manoeuvred  before  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  Gen.  Rochambeau,  and  many 
other  officers.  The  troops  made  a  handsome  ap 
pearance,  and  manoeuvred  well. 

22d. — It  was  learnt  that  the  ships-of-war  and 
transports  at  New  York  were  watering  and  pre 
paring  for  sea,  and  a  number  of  regiments  were  under 
orders  for  embarkation.  A  little  before  this  time, 
Congress  had  authorized  and  empowered  Gen. 
Washington  to  adjust  and  finally  settle  the  accounts 
subsisting  between  the  United  States  and  the  British 
government  respecting  the  support  of  the  prisoners 
of  war  on  both  sides;  and  to  provide  by  a  general 
cartel  for  their  greater  comfort  and  exchange,  under 
the  great  seal  ratifying  what  he,  the  Commander 
in  Chief  of  their  army,  should  agree  to.  Gen.  Wash 
ington  transferred  this  power  to  Major-Generals 
Heath  and  Knox,  whom  he  appointed  Commis 
sioners  for  the  purpose,  and  instructed  them  not  to 
proceed  to  business  unless  the  British  Commissioners 
were  found  to  be  equally  empowered  to  bring  the 
business  to  a  final  issue. 

The  time  and  place  of  meeting  were  agreed  to  by 
the  two  Commanders  in  Chief,  and  was  to  be  on  the 
25th  of  September,  at  Tappan. 


370  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [SEPT.  1782 

24th. — The  American  Commissioners  sent  down 
two  of  their  aides-de-camp  to  take  up  the  necessary 
quarters,  and  make  other  preparations;  and  a  com 
pany  of  light-infantry  was  ordered  to  Tappan  to 
furnish  guards  and  sentinels. 

25th. — The  American  Commissioners  embarked 
on  board  their  barges  at  King's  Ferry,  and  fell  down 
the  river  to  Tappan  Landing,  where  they  arrived 
about  2  o'clock,  P.M.  In  less  than  half  an  hour, 
the  British  Commissioners,  in  two  vessels  wearing 
flags,  came  up  the  river,  and  cast  anchor  ofF  the 
Landing.  The  American  Commissioners  waited  at 
the  shore,  and  sent  off  their  barges  to  aid  in  bringing 
the  British  Commissioners  on  shore,  the  river  being 
at  that  time  very  rough :  on  their  reaching  the  shore, 
it  was  found  that  Lieut.  Gen.  Campbell  and  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Elliot  who  had  been  Lieut.  Governor  of  New 
York,  were  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the 
British.  The  whole  dined  together,  an  elegant  din 
ner  having  been  ordered  by  the  American  Commis 
sioners,  and  politeness  and  great  sociability  took 
place;  and  a  mutual  arrangement  for  the  daily  sup 
port  of  the  table  was  agreed  on,  as  it  was  expected 
that  the  business  would  not  be  completed  in  less  than 
three  or  four  weeks,  if  the  whole  object  was  adjusted. 

26th. — The  Commissioner  interchanged  copies  of 
their  respective  powers;  these  were  to  be  considered 
until  the  next  day,  when  answers  were  to  be  given 
in  writing  whether  the  powers  were  satisfactory  on 
both  sides.  On  examining  the  powers  given  to  the 
British  Commissioners,  it  appeared  that  their  doings 
would  not  be  conclusive  until  confirmed,  and  were 
very  short  of  those  held  by  the  American  Commis 
sioners,  whose  agreement  and  signature  were  to  be 
final. 

2/th. — The  American  Commissioners  stated  to  the 


ocT.i782]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  371 

British  Commissioners  that  the  powers  with  which 
they  were  vested  were  inadequate  to  effect  the  expec 
tations  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  and 
that  therefore  the  negotiation  must  be  broken  off. 
Of  the  great  difference  of  the  powers,  the  British 
Commissioners  were  fully  convinced.  The  Amer 
ican  Commissioners  thought  it  to  be  their  duty,  when 
they  gave  their  note  of  objections  to  the  British 
delegated  powers,  to  hand  with  it  a  very  pointed 
protest,  in  behalf  of  the  United  States,  against  that 
conduct  on  the  part  of  the  British,  which  had  so  long 
delayed  the  settlement  of  the  accounts  for  the  support 
of  the  prisoners  of  war,  which  were  in  the  power  of 
the  United  States.  The  Commissaries  of  Prisoners, 
on  both  sides,  were  present  to  present  and  support 
their  respective  accounts;  and  a  settlement  would 
not  only  have  been  just,  but  also  very  interesting  to 
the  United  States. 

28th. — About  12  o'clock,  at  noon,  the  Commis 
sioners  parted  with  the  same  politeness  and  good- 
humour  with  which  they  met,  and  which  had  in 
variably  continued  during  the  time  they  were  to 
gether.  Our  General  sent  orders  to  the  commanding 
officer  at  Dobb's  Ferry  to  permit  the  British  flags 
to  pass  down  the  river;  and  the  American  Commis 
sioners  returned  to  camp.  The  day  before,  (the  27th) 
Gen.  Washington,  covered  by  the  dragoons  and  light- 
infantry,  reconnoitred  the  grounds  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river,  below  the  White  Plains;  and  the  2Qth, 
about  noon,  returned  to  camp. 

October  3d. — It  was  learnt  that  the  enemy  had 
evacuated  Lloyd's  Neck,  and  destroyed  their  works 
at  that  place:  their  works  at  Bergen  Point,  in  the 
Jerseys,  had  been  destroyed  before  that  time. 

5th. — Maj.  Gen.  Gates  arrived  at  camp.     At  this 


372  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  i7s2 

time,  the  horses  of  the  army  were  suffering  for  want 
of  forage. 

6th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  the  south 
ward  that  on  the  2Jth  of  August,  Col.  Laurens  was 
killed  in  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy:  the  loss  of  this 
brave  young  officer  was  much  regretted.  The  enemy, 
previous  to  their  leaving  Charleston,  desired  to  pur 
chase  some  provisions;  and  Gen.  Leslie  had  inti 
mated  to  Gen.  Greene  that  if  this  could  not  be 
permitted  he  must  take  the  provisions  by  force. 
The  former  being  denied,  the  latter  was  attempted, 
and  Col.  Laurens  fell;  24  or  25  others  were  killed, 
wounded,  or  taken  prisoners,  and  one  howitzer  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

7th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Maj.  Gen. 
Lee  had  died,  a  little  before,  at  Philadelphia;  he  had 
just  before  sold  his  estate  in  Virginia  for  £6,100 
sterling.* 

8th. — The  weather  beginning  to  grow  cold  and 
blowing,  all  the  bowers  (which  were  numerous  and 
very  salutary,  during  the  hot  season)  were  ordered  to 
be  pulled  down  and  removed,  to  prevent  accidents 
by  fire,  and  to  admit  the  benefit  of  the  sun. 

1 2th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Europe,  by 
the  arrival  of  a  vessel  in  34  days  from  Amsterdam, 
that  the  negotiation  for  peace  was  going  on,  and  that 
additional  Ministers  and  Envoys  had  gone  to  attend; 
that  the  combined  fleets  were  all  in  port;  that  the 
siege  of  Gibraltar  was  continued;  and  that  there  had 
been  an  obstinate  engagement  in  the  East  Indies 
between  the  French  and  English  fleets,  in  which  both 
fleets  had  suffered  much,  but  no  ships  were  taken  by 
either  side.  The  insurrection  in  South  America  had 
been  quelled. 

1 5th. — A  new  contract   for  supplying   the  army 

*  See  Appendix  XLII. 


OCT.  i782]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  373 

with  provisions,  under  Messrs.  Wadsworth  and  Car 
ter,  took  place. 

1 6th. — A  grand  manoeuvre  was  performed  by 
eight  picked  battalions,  preparatory  to  a  grand  re 
view,  which  was  to  be  the  next  day. 

On  the  iQth  (several  preceding  days  having  been 
stormy)  the  grand  manoeuvre  was  performed  by  the 
eight  picked  battalions.  The  evolutions  and  firings 
were  performed  with  regularity  and  exactness,  much 
to  the  credit  of  the  troops,  and  general  satisfaction  of 
the  numerous  spectators  of  the  American  and  French 
armies. 

20th. — The  Secretary  at  War  arrived  at  camp. 
The  enemy  were  demolishing  their  works  at  No.  8, 
Morrisania.  Intelligence  was  received,  that  the  be 
siegers  of  Gibraltar  had  made  a  nearer  approach  to 
the  place,  and  were  playing  upon  it  with  200  pieces 
of  artillery. 

22d. — The  first  division  of  the  French  army  moved 
eastward;  they  were  to  halt  at  Hartford,  in  Connec 
ticut,  where  the  whole  were  to  rendezvous.  The 
American  army  was  put  under  orders  to  be  ready  to 
move  on  the  shortest  notice:  The  August  packet 
from  England  arrived  at  New  York  the  day  before. 

24th. — The  whole  American  army  manoeuvred 
before  the  Hon.  the  Secretary  at  War.  The  Com 
mander  in  Chief,  in  the  orders  of  the  day,  expressed 
his  own,  as  well  as  the  Secretary  at  War's  fullest 
approbation. 

26th. — At  reveille,  the  left  wing  of  the  American 
army,  under  the  command  of  our  General,  struck 
their  tents,  and  marched  from  the  encampment,  as 
far  as  the  wood,  near  the  north  redoubt,  in  the 
Highlands,  where  they  remained  during  the  night; 
the  day  and  night  were  rainy,  and  the  troops  had  no 
covering  but  the  heavens. 


374  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [OCT.  1782 

27th. — The  troops  crossed  the  Hudson  in  boats  to 
West  Point,  the  whole  having  crossed  by  half  past 
12  o'clock.  In  the  afternoon,  the  troops  took  up 
their  line  of  march,  and  ascended  Butter  Hill,  a 
tedious  march,  and  halted  and  passed  the  night  on 
the  northern  descent  of  the  hill,  in  the  open  field. 

28th. — At  7  o'clock,  A.M.  the  troops  resumed 
their  march  from  Butter  Hill,  and  reached  the  ground 
on  which  they  were  to  build  their  huts,  in  New 
Windsor,  at  about  half  past  10  o'clock,  A.M.  Upon 
this  ground,  and  its  vicinity,  the  army  passed  the 
ensuing  winter.  The  cantonment,  for  its  nature  and 
kind,  was  regular  and  beautiful.  Upon  an  eminence, 
the  troops  erected  a  building,  handsomely  finished, 
with  a  spacious  hall,  sufficient  to  contain  a  brigade  of 
troops  on  Lord's  days,  for  public  worship,  with  an 
orchestra  at  one  end;  the  vault  of  the  hall  was  arched; 
at  each  end  of  the  hall  were  two  rooms,  conveniently 
situated  for  the  issuing  of  the  general  orders,  for  the 
sitting  of  Boards  of  Officers,  Courts  Martial,  &c. 
and  an  office  and  store  for  the  Quarter-Master  and 
Commissary's  departments.  On  the  top  was  a  cu 
pola  and  flag-staff,  on  which  a  flag  was  hoisted  oc 
casionally,  for  signals,  &c.*  In  this  cantonment  the 
army  spent  the  winter  very  comfortably,  and  it  proved 
to  be  their  last  winter  quarters. 

3Oth. — It  was  learnt,  that  on  the  26th  or  27th, 
fourteen  British  men-of-war,  of  the  line,  one  44  gun 
ship,  seven  frigates,  three  large  transports,  and  ten 
or  twelve  brigs  and  schooners,  sailed  from  New 
York,  it  was  conjectured  for  the  West  Indies.  They 
were  observed  to  sail  nearer  under  Long  Island  than 
usual,  and  came  to  near  the  place  where  Gen. 
Howe  landed  in  the  year  1776,  where  it  was  con 
jectured  troops  now  embarked. 

*  See  Appendix  XLIII. 


Nov.i782]          HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  375 

On  the  yth  of  the  preceding  August,  Congress 
passed  resolutions  directing  the  Secretary  at  War,  on 
or  before  the  ist  day  of  January  following,  to  cause 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  belong 
ing  to  the  lines  of  the  several  States,  to  be  arranged  in 
such  manner  as  to  form  complete  regiments,  agree 
able  to  the  acts  of  Congress  of  the  3d  and  2ist  of 
October,  1780,  of  regiments  of  not  less  than  500  rank 
and  file,  the  junior  regiments  to  be  drafted  to  fill  the 
senior  regiments.  The  regiments  so  formed,  to  be 
completely  officered;  the  officers  to  agree  and  de 
termine  who  should  stay  in  service;  or  if  this  could 
not  be  effected  by  agreement,  the  juniors  who  were 
supernumerary  of  each  grade  were  to  retire,  retain 
ing  their  rank,  and  be  entitled  to  the  emoluments  to 
which  the  officers  were  entitled  who  retired  under 
the  resolutions  of  the  3d  and  2ist  of  October,  1780. 
In  consequence  of  these  resolutions,  the  Commander 
in  Chief,  on  this  day,  (3Oth  of  Oct.)  ordered  the 
regiments  of  the  Massachusetts  line  to  be  reduced  to 

8  regiments,  of  500  rank  and  file  each,  or  as  near  as 
could  be  to  that  number;  and  the  Connecticut  line  to 
3  regiments  of  similar  strength,  with  3  Field  Officers, 

9  Captains,  19  Subalterns,  I  Surgeon,  and  I  Mate 
each;  and  the  regiments  were  formed  accordingly. 

November  ist. — It  was  learnt  from  Europe  that 
the  Royal  George,  a  first-rate  English  man-of-war, 
of  no  guns,  had  been  overset  near  Spithead,  by  a 
sudden  flaw  of  wind,  as  she  lay  heeled  to  repair  a 
leak  on  the  other  side;  that  she  sunk  in  about  8 
minutes,  having  on  board  12  or  1300  souls,  about 
900  of  whom  perished. 

5th. — Our  General  left  the  army,  and  commenced 
his  journey  to  the  eastward,  and  arrived  at  his  house 
in  Roxbury  on  the  nth. 

1 2th. — There  was   a  transit  of  Mercury  over  the 


376  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  1782 

north-west  limb  of  the  sun's  disc.  The  preceding 
week,  one  of  the  French  men-of-war,  in  Portsmouth 
harbour,  (N.  H.)  was  struck  by  lightning,  and  her 
foremast  damaged.  The  French  army  were  now  on 
their  march  towards  Boston. 

The  America,  a  fine  new  74  gun  ship,  the  first  of 
her  rate  built  in  the  United  States,  and  which  had 
not  long  before  been  presented  by  Congress  to  his 
most  Christian  Majesty,  was  launched  at  Portsmouth 
on  Tuesday  the  5th  instant. 

1 8th. — The  field  artillery  of  the  French  army 
reached  Boston.  The  same  day  it  was  reported 
that  the  British  troops  had  left  Charleston,  South 
Carolina. 

2 1 st. — The  French  discharged  their  artillery  horses 
to  the  number  of  several  hundreds. 

27th. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Spain  that 
the  British  had  relieved  Gibraltar  and  taken  a  Span 
ish  70  gun  ship;  several  of  their  gun-boats  were  also 
destroyed.  Had  Spain  long  before  this  given  over 
the  siege  of  Gibraltar,  and  employed  her  naval  and 
land  forces  against  the  British  in  some  quarter  more 
vulnerable,  solid  advantages  might  have  accrued, 
much  money  and  many  lives  have  been  saved. 

28th. — General  Thanksgiving  throughout  the  Uni 
ted  States.  The  French  fleet,  under  the  command 
of  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  was  at  this  time  in 
Nantasket  Road,  except  a  few  ships  which  were  at 
Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire. 

December  2d. — Maj.  Gen.  Baron  Viomenil,  com 
mander  of  the  French  army,  (Count  de  Rochambeau 
not  coming  this  way)  arrived  at  Boston  from  Provi 
dence.  The  troops  were  coming  forward  in  divi 
sions,  at  one  day's  march  distance  from  each  other. 
The  first  division  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  5th,  in 
the  morning. 


DEc.i782]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  377 

6th. — In  the  morning,  a  ship  lying  in  Boston  har 
bour,  laden  with  masts,  destined  to  the  West  Indies, 
by  some  accident  took  fire,  and  burnt  down  to  the 
water's  edge;  the  loss  was  very  considerable.  Ad 
vice  was  received  from  Europe  that  the  Commis 
sioners  for  settling  peace  were  sitting  at  Paris;  that 
matters  were  in  forwardness;  several  articles  had 
been  agreed  to,  &c.  A  reinforcement  of  French 
ships  and  troops  had  arrived  in  the  West  Indies  from 
France.  This  day  the  last  division  of  the  French 
troops  reached  Boston.  These  troops  embarked  on 
board  the  men-of-war,  were  much  crowded,  and  in 
danger  of  growing  sickly,  if  continued  long  on  board. 
About  this  time,  the  American  officers  had  been  very 
uneasy  respecting  their  great  arrears  of  pay,  &c.; 
and  soon  after  addressed  Congress  on  the  subject, 
and  appointed  a  committee  from  the  army  to  present 
their  petition  and  support  it. 

nth. — The  town  of  Boston  presented  an  address 
to  the  French  General  and  officers. 

22d. — The  French  fleet  had  all  fallen  down  below 
the  Castle,  and  were  in  readiness  to  proceed  to  sea. 
The  markets  were  at  this  time  extremely  high;  flour 
at  8  and  some  at  9  dollars  per  hundred;  butter  was 
sold  at  2s.  4fd.  per  pound,  &c. 

24th. — His  most  Christian  Majesty's  fleet,  under 
the  command  of  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  came  to 
sail  in  King  and  Nantasket  Roads,  and  went  out  to 
sea,  having  the  army  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Viomenil  on  board.  The  fleet  was  first  to  stand  to 
the  northward,  until  it  was  joined  by  the  ships  from 
Portsmouth;  they  were  then  to  tack  and  stand  to 
the  southward,  and  take  with  them  the  Fantasque, 
armed  en  -flute  from  Rhode  Island,  and  proceed  to 
the  West  Indies. 

25th. — It  was  learnt   that  near  3,000   refugee  in- 


378  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  [JAN.  i783 

habitants  had  gone  from  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
to  Jamaica,  and  about  the  same  number  to  Augus 
tine.  The  exorbitant  prices  of  provisions  fell  imme 
diately  after  the  sailing  of  the  French  fleet. 

26th. — Authentic  accounts  were  received  from 
Europe  that  Monsieur  de  la  Perreuse,  in  the  ship 
Sceptre,  with  two  frigates,  had  returned  to  France, 
from  a  successful  enterprise  against  the  British  set 
tlements  in  Hudson's  Bay,  having  entirely  destroyed 
the  establishments  and  property  of  the  English  on 
that  coast,  estimating  the  damage  at  ten  millions  of 
livres. 

3 1 st. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
homeward-bound  West  India  fleet,  on  their  way  to 
England,  met  a  violent  storm,  in  which  two  74  gun 
ships,  the  Ramillies  and  the  Centaur,  were  said  to 
have  foundered;  and  that  a  number  of  the  merchant 
men  had  been  taken  by  French  and  American  crui 
sers,  and  carried  into  France — that  four  prizes  had 
been  taken  by  the  American  frigate  Alliance,  Capt. 
Barry,  having  1,200  hhds.  of  sugar,  and  400  hhds.  of 
rum  on  board. 

1783.  'January  1st. — Intelligence  was  received, 
that  a  terrible  fire  happened  in  the  city  of  Constan 
tinople,  in  the  month  of  the  preceding  August,  in 
which  a  large  part  of  the  city  was  consumed,  and 
about  5,000  lives  lost.  The  fire  was  supposed  to 
have  been  kindled  by  the  malefactors  in  six  different 
places. 

4th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Great  Brit 
ain  had  acknowledged  the  independence  of  the  Uni 
ted  States,  collectively  and  severally;  and  that  a  com 
mission  had  been  sent  to  Mr.  Oswald,  one  of  the 
British  Commissioners  at  Paris,  to  treat  with  the 
American  Commissioners  accordingly. 

Some  further  accounts  of  the  terrible  fire  in  Con- 


jAN.i783]  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  379 

stantinople  stated  that  near  200,000  inhabitants  were 
burnt  out  of  their  habitations — that  the  fire  con 
tinued  to  burn  sixty-two  hours,  and  at  some  times 
with  a  front  a  mile  in  width. 

8th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  Charles 
ton  man-of-war,  belonging  to  the  State  of  South 
Carolina,  a  remarkable  fine  ship,  commanded  by 
Commodore  Gillon,  was  taken  by  the  British,  and 
carried  into  New  York. 

In  this  month,  the  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts, 
in  their  several  religious  societies,  made  voluntary 
contributions  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Charlestown,  to  enable  them  to  rebuild  a  meeting 
house,  in  the  room  of  that  which  was  destroyed  by 
fire  by  the  British  troops  during  the  battle  of  Bun 
ker's  Hill,  on  the  zyth  of  June,  1775. 

24th. — News  was  received  that  Maj.  Gen.  Lord 
Sterling  had  lately  died  at  Albany;  he  was  a  brave 
officer  in  the  American  army.* 

25th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  British 
troops  left  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  the  I4th 
of  the  preceding  December,  and  the  bar  the  I7th; 
and  that  Gen.  Greene  had  taken  possession  of  the 
city.  It  had  been  previously  agreed  that  the  Amer 
icans  would  not  molest  the  British  in  quitting  the 
place;  and  on  their  part  they  were  not  to  injure  the 
city. 

28th. — It  was  learnt  that  Gen.  Clark  had  been 
very  successful  against  the  Shawnee  Indians,  and 
had  destroyed  a  number  of  their  towns.  From  Eu 
rope  it  was  learnt  that  although  there  was  the  greatest 
prospect  of  peace,  yet  all  the  powers  at  war  were 
straining  every  nerve  to  be  prepared  for  the  opening 
of  the  next  campaign.  The  damage  sustained  by 
the  British  homeward-bound  West  India  fleet  was 

*  See  Appendix  XLIV. 


380  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [FEB.  i783 

greater  than  at  first  supposed;  among  the  disabled 
ships  was  the  Ville  de  Paris,  of  no  guns,  and  sev 
eral  others. 

29th. — A  prize  ship,  taken  by  Capt.  Manly,  ar 
rived  in  Boston  harbour  having  about  1,800  barrels 
of  provisions  on  board. 

February  5th. — News  was  received  that  the  British 
had  reinforced  the  garrison  at  Penobscot — that  the 
whole  garrison  consisted  of  nearly  900  men — that  a 
further  reinforcement  was  expected — and  that  the 
British  were  endeavouring  to  extend  their  influence 
in  that  quarter. 

6th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  a  number  of 
loyalists  had  gone  from  New  York  to  Nova  Scotia; 
that  Gov.  Franklin,  in  England,  had  written  to  his 
friends  in  New  York,  that  peace  would  certainly  take 
place.  About  this  time,  the  articles  of  a  treaty  of 
amity  and  commerce  between  the  United  States 
of  America  and  Holland  was  published  by  Congress. 
In  the  month  of  the  preceding  December,  Congress 
passed  a  spirited  resolution  respecting  the  conduct 
of  the  government  of  Vermont;  and  about  this  time, 
the  Council  of  Vermont  presented  to  Congress  a  re 
monstrance  against  the  resolution,  as  interfering  with 
their  internal  police.* 

About  this  time,  Gen.  Washington  and  Gen.  Sir 
Guy  Carleton  had  an  interview  on  the  lines  of  the 
two  armies. 

2Oth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  Don  Solano, 
with  ten  sail  of  Spanish  men-of-war,  had  arrived  at 
the  Havanna,  and  that  the  Count  D'Estaing  had 
arrived  with  a  French  fleet  at  Martinique;  that  an 
attack  on  the  island  of  Jamaica  was  soon  expected  to 
take  place;  in  consequence  of  which  seven  British 
regiments  were  to  go  from  New  York  to  the  West 

*  See  Appendix  XLV. 


FEB.i783]          HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  381 

Indies.  The  refugees  at  New  York  were  selling  off 
their  effects  at  auction,  and  preparing  for  a  sudden 
removal  to  Nova  Scotia. 

2 1 st. — The  British  King's  speech  to  his  Parlia 
ment  appeared  in  a  hand-bill.  The  speech  breathed 
reconciliation  throughout.  The  King  informed  his 
Parliament  that  he  had  gone  the  utmost  lengths  the 
power  granted  to  him  would  allow;  and  that  he 
hoped  soon  to  lay  before  them  the  articles  of  peace, 
which  were  in  great  forwardness,  and  such  as  he  ap 
prehended  they  would  approve.  That  he  hoped  the 
two  countries  would  still  be  in  friendship, — that  re 
ligion,  language,  interest,  &c.  urged  this, — that  he 
devoutly  prayed  Great  Britain  might  not  experience 
any  of  those  calamities  which  might  be  feared  from 
such  a  dismemberment  of  the  Empire;  and  then  ex 
tends  some  compassionate  expressions  to  America. 
Alas,  O  King!  it  might  have  been  happy  for  both 
countries,  if  a  due  consideration  had  been  early  ex 
ercised;  then  might  much  blood  and  much  treasure 
have  been  saved.  Let  it  be  a  warning  to  other  na 
tions,  to  be  wise  and  just!  Nature  will  have  her  own 
way,  and  do  her  own  work  in  her  own  time.  Amer 
ica  of  course  would  be  independent  and  sovereign; 
but  a  mistaken  policy  in  Great  Britain  hurried  on 
an  event  to  her  own  loss,  long  before  nature  had 
ripened  it  for  her  own  consummation.  The  public 
expectation  now  was  high,  and  the  period  when 
peace  should  be  announced  supposed  to  be  even  at 
the  door,  and  divers  premature  accounts  were  at 
different  times  circulated. 

25th. — It  was  learnt  that  Lieut.  Col.  Barber,  of 
the  New  Jersey  line,  had  a  little  before  been  killed, 
together  with  his  horse,  near  the  army,  by  the  un 
expected  fall  of  a  tree  which  a  soldier  was  cutting. 
By  this  event  a  brave  officer  and  valuable  citizen 


382  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS       [MARCH, i783 

was  lost,  who  had  frequently  distinguished  himself 
in  action;  his  fall,  therefore,  in  this  manner,  and  at 
the  very  grasp  of  the  harvest  of  his  toils,  was  ren 
dered  the  more  affecting. 

2yth. — Intelligence  was  received  from  Virginia 
that  the  House  of  Delegates  of  that  State  had  rec 
ommended  to  their  constituents  not  to  choose  into 
places  of  power  and  trust  men  who  had  not  been 
attached  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  only  such  as 
had  given  early  and  decided  proof  of  their  friendship. 

28th. — It  was  found  that  the  British  cruisers 
from  New  York  had  lately  taken  a  number  of  Amer 
ican  vessels,  among  them  several  from  Boston  to 
Virginia. 

March  3d. — Accounts  were  received  from  Europe 
that  in  an  assault  made  by  the  Spanish  troops  on  the 
garrison  of  Gibraltar,  in  the  month  of  September, 
the  besieged,  with  their  cannon  loaded  with  grape- 
shot,  made  great  havoc  among  the  assailants,  but 
that  this  did  not  check  their  ardor;  but  that  upon  a 
near  approach  to  the  walls,  they  were  stopped,  and 
thrown  into  great  confusion  by  several  engines 
throwing  scalding  water  upon  them.  Some  were 
scalded  almost  to  death,  and  others  had  their  eyes 
put  out — a  new  mode  of  defence,  but  a  powerful 
one. 

6th. — Intelligence  was  received  that  not  long  be 
fore,  the  French  frigate  Sibill  had  been  taken  by 
some  of  the  British  cruisers,  aad  carried  into  New 
York. 

2Oth. — It  was  learnt  from  Philadelphia  that  the 
Washington  packet,  Capt.  Barney,  had  arrived  at 
that  place  from  L'Orient  in  France,  which  place  she 
left  the  I  yth  of  January.  The  public  dispatches 
brought  by  this  vessel,  although  they  did  not  an 
nounce  a  peace  to  be  concluded,  yet  informed  that 


APRIL,  1783]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  383 

the  negotiations  were  going  on;  every  thing  was 
settled  between  America  and  Great  Britain,  and 
matters  looked  favourable  towards  France;  but  diffi 
culties  were  subsisting  between  Great  Britain,  Spain 
and  Holland.  Several  of  the  outlines  of  the  articles 
of  the  treaty  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States  of  America,  were  published,  and  in  general 
were  thought  to  be  favourable  to  the  latter.  The 
same  packet  brought  dispatches  for  Gen.  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  and  Admiral  Digby,  which  were  forwarded 
to  New  York. 

22d. — It  was  learnt  that  a  great  uneasiness  had 
discovered  itself  in  the  American  army,  on  account 
of  the  great  arrears  of  pay  which  was  due,  and  some 
doubting  apprehensions  as  to  the  real  intention  of  the 
public  to  fulfil  their  promises  to  the  army,  and  in 
particular  that  of  half  pay.  An  anonymous  notifi 
cation,  and  two  addresses  to  the  officers,  made  their 
appearance  about  ten  days  before,  couched  in  very 
firm  and  decided  language;  these  produced  an  ad 
dress  from  the  Commander  in  Chief,  a  meeting  of 
the  officers,  a  representation  to  Congress,  and  their 
resolutions  respecting  the  army  at  that  time.* 

The  evening  of  the  28th,  a  letter  was  received  from 
Philadelphia  purporting  that  a  vessel  had  arrived 
there  from  Europe  with  the  intelligence  that  the 
preliminary  articles  of  peace  were  signed  on  the  2Oth 
of  the  preceding  January.  Hostilities  were  to  cease 
in  Europe  the  2Oth  of  February,  and  in  America  on 
the  2Oth  of  this  month.  The  public  dispatches  had 
not  now  arrived,  but  were  momently  expected. 

April  2d. — It  was  learnt  that  a  very  valuable  prize 
was  carried  into  Salem. 

7th. — Our  General  sat  out  from  his  house  in  Rox- 
bury,  and  arrived  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  Amer- 

*  See  Appendix  XLVI. 


384  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [APRIL,  i783 

lean  army  at  Newburg  on  Hudson's  River,  on  the 
I4th,  in  the  forenoon. 

On  the  1 6th,  in  the  general  orders  of  the  day  our 
General  was  directed  to  take  the  immediate  com 
mand  of  the  army,  during  the  absence  of  Maj.  Gen. 
Gates.  Congress  had  published  their  proclamation 
suspending  hostilities. 

1 8th. — The  Commander  in  Chief  addressed  the 
army  on  the  happy  cessation  of  hostilities  as  follows: 

"The  Commander  in  Chief  orders  the  cessation 
of  hostilities  between  the  United  States  of  America 
and  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  to  be  publicly 
proclaimed  to-morrow  at  12  o'clock,  at  the  New  Build 
ing;  and  that  the  Proclamation  which  will  be  com 
municated  herewith,  be  read  to-morrow  evening,  at 
the  head  of  every  regiment  and  corps  of  the  army; 
after  which  the  chaplains,  with  the  several  brigades, 
will  render  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  all  his  mer 
cies,  particularly  for  his  over-ruling  the  wrath  of  man 
to  his  own  glory,  and  causing  the  rage  of  war  to 
cease  amongst  the  nations. 

"Although  the  Proclamation  before  alluded  to 
extends  only  to  the  prohibition  of  hostilities,  and  not 
to  the  annunciation  of  a  general  peace,  yet  it  must 
afford  the  most  rational  and  sincere  satisfaction  to 
every  benevolent  mind,  as  it  puts  a  period  to  a  long 
and  doubtful  contest — stops  the  effusion  of  human 
blood — opens  the  prospect  to  a  more  splendid  scene 
— and,  like  another  morning-star,  promises  the  ap 
proach  of  a  brighter  day  than  hath  hitherto  illumi 
nated  this  western  hemisphere!  On  such  a  happy 
day — a  day  which  is  the  harbinger  of  peace — a  day 
which  completes  the  eighth  year  of  the  war,  it  would 
be  ingratitude  not  to  rejoice:  it  would  be  insensibility 
not  to  participate  in  the  general  felicity. 

"The  Commander  in  Chief,  far  from  endeavour- 


APRIL,  I7s3]       HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  385 

ing  to  stifle  the  feelings  of  joy  in  his  own  bosom, 
offers  his  most  cordial  congratulations  on  the  occa 
sion  to  all  the  officers  of  every  denomination — to  all 
the  troops  of  the  United  States  in  general,  and  in 
particular  to  those  gallant  and  persevering  men  who 
had  resolved  to  defend  the  rights  of  their  invaded 
country  so  long  as  the  war  should  continue;  for  these 
are  the  men  who  ought  to  be  considered  as  the  pride 
and  boast  of  the  American  army,  and  who,  crowned 
with  well-earned  laurels,  may  soon  withdraw  from 
the  field  of  glory  to  the  more  tranquil  walks  of  civil 
life. 

"While  the  General  recollects  the  almost  infinite 
variety  of  scenes  through  which  we  have  passed  with 
a  mixture  of  pleasure,  astonishment  and  gratitude — 
while  he  contemplates  the  prospects  before  us  with 
rapture, — he  cannot  help  wishing  that  all  the  brave 
men,  of  whatever  condition  they  may  be,  who  have 
shared  in  the  toils  and  dangers  of  effecting  this  glo 
rious  revolution,  of  rescuing  millions  from  the  hand 
of  oppression,  and  of  laying  the  foundation  of  a  great 
empire,  might  be  impressed  with  a  proper  idea  of  the 
dignified  part  they  have  been  called  to  act  (under  the 
smiles  of  Providence)  on  the  stage  of  human  affairs; 
for  happy,  thrice  happy,  shall  they  be  pronounced 
hereafter,  who  have  contributed  any  thing,  who  have 
performed  the  meanest  office  in  erecting  this  stupen 
dous  fabric  of  Freedom  and  Empire,  on  the  broad 
basis  of  independency;  who  have  assisted  in  pro 
tecting  the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  establishing 
an  asylum  for  the  poor  and  oppressed  of  all  nations 
and  religions. 

"The  glorious  task  for  which  we  first  flew  to  arms, 
being  thus  accomplished — the  liberties  of  our  country 
being  fully  acknowledged  and  firmly  secured,  by  the 
smiles  of  Heaven  on  the  purity  of  our  cause,  and  the 


386  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [APRIL,  1783 

honest  exertions  of  a  feeble  people,  determined  to  be 
free,  against  a  powerful  nation  disposed  to  oppress 
them;  and  the  character  of  those  who  have  perse 
vered  through  every  extremity  of  hardship,  suffering, 
and  danger,  being  immortalized  by  the  illustrious 
appellation  of  the  Patriot  Army, — nothing  now  re 
mains  but  for  the  actors  of  this  mighty  scene  to 
preserve  a  perfect,  unvarying  consistency  of  char 
acter  through  the  very  last  act;  to  close  the  drama 
with  applause;  and  to  retire  from  the  military  theatre 
with  the  same  approbation  of  angels  and  men  which 
have  crowned  all  their  former  virtuous  actions. 

"For  this  purpose,  no  disorder  or  licentiousness 
must  be  tolerated;  every  considerate  and  well-dis 
posed  soldier  must  remember  it  will  be  absolutely 
necessary  to  wait  with  patience  until  peace  shall  be 
declared,  or  Congress  shall  be  enabled  to  take  proper 
measures  for  the  security  of  the  public  stores,  &c. 
As  soon  as  these  arrangements  shall  be  made,  the 
General  is  confident  there  will  be  no  delay  in  dis 
charging,  with  every  mark  of  distinction  and  honour, 
all  the  men  enlisted  for  the  war,  who  will  then  have 
faithfully  performed  their  engagement  with  the  pub 
lic.  The  General  has  already  interested  himself  in 
their  behalf;  and  he  thinks  he  need  not  repeat  the 
assurances  of  his  disposition  to  be  useful  to  them  on 
the  present,  and  every  other  proper  occasion.  In 
the  mean  time,  he  is  determined  that  no  military 
neglect  or  excesses  shall  go  unpunished,  while  he 
retains  the  command  of  the  army. 

uThe  Adjutant-General  will  have  such  working- 
parties  detailed  to  assist  in  making  the  preparation 
for  a  general  rejoicing,  as  the  Chief  Engineer,  with 
the  army,  shall  call  for;  and  the  Quarter-Master- 
General  will  also  furnish  such  materials  as  he  may 
want.  The  Quarter-Master-General  will,  without 


APRIL,  1783]       HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  387 

delay,  procure  such  a  number  of  discharges  to  be 
printed  as  will  be  sufficient  for  all  the  men  enlisted 
for  the  war;  he  will  please  to  apply  to  head-quarters 
for  the  form. 

"An  extra  ration  of  liquor  to  be  issued  to  every 
man  to-morrow,  to  drink  perpetual  peace,  indepen 
dence,  and  happiness  to  the  United  States  of 
America." 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  1 8th,  a  schooner,—  -  Cottle, 
master,  from  Nantucket,  with  fish,  oil,  rum,  &c. 
came  up  the  Hudson  to  Newburg.  This  was  the 
first  American  vessel  which  had  come  up  the  river, 
since  the  British  took  possession  of  New  York  in  the 
year  1776. 

I  Qth. — At  noon,  the  Proclamation  of  the  Congress 
for  a  cessation  of  hostilities  was  published  at  the  door 
of  the  New  Building,  followed  by  three  huzzas;  after 
which  a  prayer  was  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ganno, 
and  an  anthem  (Independence,  from  Billings)  was 
performed  by  vocal  and  instrumental  music.  The 
same  day,  Gen.  Washington  went  for  Ringwood  to 
meet  the  Secretary  at  War  on  some  business  of 
importance. 

aoth. — At  evening,  the  Commander  in  Chief  re 
turned  to  head-quarters. 

2ist. — Permission  was  given  for  such  persons  as 
might  choose  it  to  go  to  New  York,  with  provisions, 
&c.  A  vessel  was  loading  with  flour  to  go  down 
the  river;  and  one  laden  with  rum,  porter,  cheese, 
beef,  &c.  &c.  came  up  from  New  York.  Thus,  as 
we  have  seen  how  the  rage  of  war  came  on,  we  now 
see  how  by  degrees  that  rage  subsided,  until  the 
olive  sprang  up  and  progressed  to  full  bloom. 

24th. — It  was  learnt  from  Europe  that  on  the  5th 
of  February  preceding,  the  Bedford,  Capt.  Morris, 
made  entry  at  the  custom-house  in  London,  being  the 


388  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [MAY,i783 

first  vessel  that  had  arrived  in  the  river  belonging  to 
the  United  States. 

}  26th. — It  was  learnt  that  the  refugees  were  em 
barking  in  order  to  leave  New  York;  and  many 
transports  were  falling  down  to  the  watering-place. 
About  this  time,  Congress  recommended  an  impost 
duty  to  the  several  States.* 

2yth. — Intelligence  was  received  that  the  Indians 
had  recently  committed  some  outrages  on  the  western 
frontier;  had  killed  and  scalped  17  persons  near 
Wheeling  Creek. 

May  ist. — Congress  had  expressed  their  opinion 
in  a  resolution  which  was  this  day  published  that 
the  term  for  which  the  men  engaged  for  the  war  are 
to  serve  does  not  expire  until  the  definite  treaty  is 
received;  and  that  then  those  engaged  for  the  war, 
and  who  so  continue,  shall  have  their  arms  and  ac 
coutrements  as  a  present  for  their  long  and  faithful 
services. 

2d. — The  next  morning,  the  Commander  in  Chief 
was  to  go  down  the  river  to  Dobb's  Ferry  to  meet 
Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  Four  companies  of  light- 
infantry  marched  this  morning  for  that  place  to  do 
the  duty  of  guards.  Sir  Guy  was  to  come  up  the 
river  in  a  frigate. 

3d. — In  the  forenoon,  the  Commander  in  Chief, 
and  Gov.  Clinton,  with  their  suites,  &c.  went  down 
the  river. 

7th. — It  was  learnt  that  several  vessels  had  arrived 
at  Boston,  from  Europe,  Halifax,  &c.  with  men- 
chandise,  in  consequence  of  which  the  price  of  goods 
had  much  fallen,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  eastern 
States  were  fitting  out  a  great  number  of  fishing 
vessels. 

8th. — It  was  said  that  11,644  American  prisoners 

*See  Appendix  XLVII. 


MAY,i783]         HEATH'S   MEMOIRS  389 

had  died  during  the  war  in  the  prisons,  and  on 
board  the  prison-ships  at  New  York:  a  surprising 
number,  and  evidences  that  if  their  treatment  was 
not  severe,  they  were  too  much  crowded,  or  not 
properly  attended  to  in  other  respects.  Those  who 
have  seen  know,  and  others  can  easily  conceive,  that 
where  men  are  closely  confined  in  great  numbers  in 
prison-ships,  or  in  gaols,  that  without  frequent  airing 
and  cleansing,  the  air  in  such  places  becomes  putrid 
and  poisonous,  and  produces  almost  certain  death. 
How  much  care  then  ought  to  be  exercised  by  every 
humane  commander  in  the  appointment  of  provost 
officers,  to  be  assured  that  those  whom  they  appoint 
are  not  only  firm  and  resolute,  (necessary  qualifica 
tions  in  such  officers)  but  that  they  also  are  consider 
ate  and  humane;  and  that  such  commanders  them 
selves  take  care  to  know,  and  if  necessary,  correct  any 
abuses  which  may  exist.  Such  conduct  towards  the 
confined  and  distressed,  would  add  a  laurel  to  the 
hero's  brow,  equal  to  the  triumphs  of  victory,  and 
more  lasting:  for  if  the  merciful  man  be  merciful 
even  to  his  beast,  how  much  more  ought  a  great  and 
brave  man  to  feel  for  the  unfortunate  of  his  own 
species!* 

Qth. — At  evening,  the  Commander  in  Chief  re 
turned  to  head-quarters  having  had  an  interview 
with  Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton. 

I5th. — The  Commander  in  Chief  went  for  Pough- 
keepsie.  A  letter  from  Gen.  Sir  Guy  Carleton  to 
Gov.  Clinton  had  rendered  an  interview  between 
the  Governor  and  the  Commander  in  Chief 
necessary. 

1 6th. — At  evening,  the  Commander  in  Chief  re 
turned  to  head-quarters. 

28th. — The  army  about  this  time  were  badly  sup- 

*  See  Appendix  XLVIII. 


390  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [juNE,i7s3 

plied  with  provisions,  and  much  uneasiness  was  dis 
covered,  both  by  the  officers  and  soldiers. 

3 ist. — It  was  learnt  that  Congress  had  passed  a 
resolution  to  furlough  the  men  engaged  for  the  war. 
This  mode  appeared  to  be  marked  with  policy  in 
several  respects. 

June  2d. — The  general  orders  of  the  day  an 
nounced,  that  the  men  engaged  for  the  war  should 
be  immediately  furloughed,  with  a  proportion  of  the 
officers.  They  were  to  be  discharged  as  soon  as  the 
definite  treaty  arrived;  they  were  to  be  marched 
home  in  divisions.  Those  men  that  remained  en 
gaged  for  other  periods  were  to  be  formed  into  com 
plete  corps.  The  officers  to  agree  who  should  stay, 
and  in  cases  where  they  could  not  agree,  seniority 
was  to  decide. 

3d. — The  Maryland  battalion  was  put  under  orders 
to  march  to  the  southward. 

5th. — The  Maryland  battalion  marched  from  the 
cantonment.  The  same  day,  the  general  officers,  and 
officers  commanding  regiments  and  corps,  in  the  can 
tonment  on  Hudson's  River,  having,  by  their  com 
mittee  for  that  purpose  appointed,  prepared  an 
address  to  the  Commander  in  Chief — it  was  accord 
ingly  presented,  in  the  words  following: 

"SiR, 

"  IT  is  difficult  for  us  to  express  the  regret  we  feel 
at  being  obliged  again  to  solicit  your  Excellency's 
attention  and  patronage.  Next  to  the  anguish  which 
the  prospect  of  our  own  wretchedness  excites  in  our 
breasts,  is  the  pain  which  arises  from  a  knowledge  of 
your  anxiety  on  account  of  those  men  who  have  been 
the  sharers  of  your  fortunes,  and  have  had  the  hon 
our  of  being  your  companions  through  the  various 
vicissitudes  of  the  war.  Nothing,  therefore,  but  ne- 


juNE,I783]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  391 

cessity,  could  induce  us  to  a  representation  which  we 
know  must  give  you  concern. 

"Your  Excellency  has  so  intimate  a  knowledge 
of  the  condition  of  the  army,  as  to  render  a  particular 
delineation  unnecessary.  As  you  have  been  a  wit 
ness  of  our  sufferings  during  a  war  uncommon  in 
its  nature,  and  unparalleled  in  many  circumstances 
attending  it;  so  you  are  now,  Sir,  no  less  a  witness  of 
the  unequal  burden  which  has  fallen  upon  us  from 
the  want  of  that  provision,  to  which,  from  our  assid 
uous  and  unremitting  services,  we  conceive  we  are 
entitled.  Having  recently  expressed  our  sense  of 
what  was  due  to  our  distress;  having  repeated  to 
your  Excellency  the  confidence  we  had  that  our  ac 
counts  would  be  liquidated,  the  balances  ascertained, 
and  adequate  funds  provided  for  payment,  previous 
to  our  being  dispersed  or  disbanded;  having  seen 
with  pleasure,  the  approbation  which  Congress  gave 
our  reliance,  it  is  with  a  mixture  of  astonishment  and 
chagrin  that  we  view  the  late  resolve  of  Congress,  by 
which  the  soldiers  for  the  war,  and  a  proportionate 
number  of  officers  are  to  be  furloughed  without  any 
one  of  those  important  objects  being  accomplished; 
and,  to  complete  the  scene  of  woe,  are  to  be  com 
pelled  to  leave  the  army  without  the  means  of  de 
fraying  the  debts  we  have  necessarily  incurred  in  the 
course  of  service,  or  even  of  gratifying  those  menials 
in  the  pittance  which  is  their  due;  much  less  to  carry 
with  us  that  support  and  comfort  to  our  families  of 
which,  from  our  long  military  services,  they  have 
been  deprived.  No  less  exposed  then  to  the  insults 
of  the  meanest  followers  of  the  army,  than  to  the 
arrests  of  the  sheriff — deprived  of  the  ability  to  assist 
our  families,  and  without  an  evidence  that  any  thing 
is  due  to  us  for  our  services,  and  consequently  with 
out  the  least  prospect  of  obtaining  credit  for  even  a 


392  HEATH'S   MEMOIRS         EjuNE,i783 

temporary  subsistence,  until  we  can  get  into  business 
— to  what  quarter  can  we  look  ?  We  take  the  liberty 
to  say,  Sir,  only  to  your  Excellency;  and,  from  the 
sincerity  of  our  hearts,  we  do  it  no  less  from  a  per 
suasion  of  the  efficiency  of  your  further  efforts  in  our 
favour,  than  from  the  kind  assurances  you  have  been 
pleased  to  give  us  of  your  support. 

"To  your  Excellency,  then,  we  make  our  appeal, 
and  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  from  that  abhor 
rence  of  oppression  and  injustice  which  first  un 
sheathed  our  swords;  from  the  remembrance  of  the 
common  dangers  through  which  we  have  passed;  and 
from  the  recollection  of  those  astonishing  events, 
which  have  been  effected  by  our  united  efforts,— 
permit  us  to  solicit  your  further  aid,  and  to  entreat 
that  the  order  of  the  2d  instant,  founded  on  the  act  of 
Congress  of  the  26th  of  May  last,  may  be  suspended 
or  varied  in  its  operation,  so  far  as  that  no  officer  or 
soldier  be  obliged  to  receive  a  furlough  until  that 
honourable  body  can  be  apprised  of  the  wretched 
situation  into  which  the  army  must  be  plunged  by  a 
conformity  to  it;  that  your  Excellency  will  endeavour 
to  prevail  on  Congress — nay,  that  on  the  principles 
of  common  justice,  you  will  insist  that  neither  officer 
nor  soldier  be  compelled  to  leave  the  field  until  a 
liquidation  of  accounts  can  be  effected,  till  the  bal 
ances  are  ascertained,  certificates  for  the  sums  due 
given,  including  the  commutation  of  half  pay  to  the 
officers,  and  gratuity  of  80  dollars  to  the  soldiers; 
and  till  a  supply  of  money  can  be  furnished  suffi 
cient  to  carry  us  from  the  field  of  glory  with  honour 
to  ourselves  and  credit  to  our  country.  We  still  wish 
to  believe  that  that  country  to  which  we  have  been 
so  long  devoted  will  never  look  with  indifference  on 
the  distresses  of  those  of  her  sons  who  have  so  essen 
tially  contributed  to  the  establishment  of  Freedom, 


juNE,i783]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  393 

the   security  of  property,    and   the   rearing   of  an 
empire. 

"In  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Generals  and 
officers   commanding   regiments   and   corps,   in   the 
cantonment  on  Hudson's  River, 
I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

With  the  highest  respect, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  servant, 
W.  HEATH,  Maj.  Gen.  President. 
June  5tb,  1783." 

To  the  foregoing  address,  Gen.  Washington  was 
pleased  to  return  the  following  answer,  viz. : 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  June  6th,  1783. 
"SiR, 

"BEFORE  I  make  a  reply  to  the  subject  of  the 
address  of  the  Generals  and  Officers,  commanding 
the  regiments  and  corps  of  this  army,  presented  by 
yourself  yesterday,  I  entreat  that  those  gentlemen 
will  accept  my  warmest  acknowledgement  for  the 
confidence  they  have  been  pleased  to  repose  in  me; 
they  may  be  assured  it  shall  never  be  abused:  and  I 
beg  they  will  be  persuaded  that  as  no  man  can  pos 
sibly  be  better  acquainted  than  I  am  with  the  past 
merits  and  services  of  the  army,  so  no  one  can  possi 
bly  be  more  strongly  impressed  with  their  present 
ineligible  situation,  feel  a  keener  sensibility  at  their 
distresses,  or  more  ardently  desire  to  alleviate  or  re 
move  them.  But  it  would  be  unnecessary,  perhaps, 
to  enter  into  a  detail  of  what  I  have  done,  and  what  I 
am  still  attempting  to  do,  in  order  to  assist  in  the 
accomplishment  of  this  interesting  purpose.  Let  it 
be  sufficient  to  observe,  I  do  not  yet  despair  of  suc 
cess;  for  I  am  perfectly  convinced  that  the  States 


394  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  1783 

cannot,  without  involving  themselves  in  national 
bankruptcy  and  ruin,  refuse  to  comply  with  the  re 
quisitions  of  Congress;  who,  it  must  be  acknowl 
edged,  have  done  every  thing  in  their  power  to  obtain 
ample  and  complete  justice  for  the  army;  and  whose 
great  object  in  the  present  measure  undoubtedly  was, 
by  a  reduction  of  expense,  to  enable  the  Financier  to 
make  the  three  months'  payment  to  the  army  which 
on  all  hands  has  been  agreed  to  be  absolutely  and 
indispensably  necessary.  To  explain  this  matter,  I 
beg  leave  to  insert  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  the 
Superintendent  of  Finance,  dated  the  2Qth  ult.: 

" i  It  is  now  a  month  since  the  Committee  conferred 
with  me  on  that  subject,  and  I  then  told  them  no 
payment  could  be  made  to  the  army,  but  by  means 
of  a  paper  anticipation;  and  unless  our  expenditures 
were  immediately  arid  considerably  reduced,  even 
that  could  not  be  done.  Our  expenditures  have 
nevertheless  been  continued,  and  our  revenues  lessen, 
the  States  growing  daily  more  and  more  remiss  in 
their  collections.  The  consequence  is  that  I  cannot 
make  payment  in  the  manner  first  intended;  the 
notes  issued  for  this  purpose  would  have  been  pay 
able  at  two,  four,  and  six  months  from  the  date,  but 
at  present  they  will  be  at  six  months,  and  even  that 
will  soon  become  impracticable,  unless  our  expenses 
be  immediately  curtailed. 

"  *  I  shall  cause  such  notes  to  be  issued  for  three 
months'  pay  to  the  army;  and  I  must  entreat,  Sir, 
that  every  influence  be  used  with  the  States  to  absorb 
them,  together  with  my  other  engagements,  by 
taxation.' 

"  Three  days  ago,  a  messenger  was  dispatched  by 
me  to  urge  the  necessity  of  forwarding  these  notes 
with  the  greatest  possible  expedition. 

"Under  this  state  of  circumstances,  I  need  scarcely 


juNE,I783]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  395 

add  that  the  expense  of  every  day  in  feeding  the 
whole  army  will  increase  very  considerably  the  ina 
bility  of  the  public  to  discharge  the  debts  already 
incurred,  at  least  for  a  considerable  time  to  come. 

"Although  the  officers  of  the  army  very  well  know 
my  official  situation,  that  I  am  only  a  servant  of  the 
public,  and  that  it  is  not  for  me  to  dispense  with 
orders,  which  it  is  my  duty  to  carry  into  execution; 
yet,  as  furloughs,  in  all  services,  are  considered  as  a 
matter  of  indulgence  and  not  of  compulsion — as  Con 
gress,  I  am  persuaded,  entertain  the  best  disposition 
towards  the  army — and,  as  I  apprehend,  in  a  very 
short  time  the  two  principal  articles  of  complaint 
will  be  removed — I  shall  not  hesitate  to  comply  with 
the  wishes  of  the  army  under  these  reservations 
only,  that  officers  sufficient  to  conduct  the  men  who 
choose  to  receive  furloughs,  will  attend  them,  either 
on  furlough  or  by  detachment.  The  propriety  and 
necessity  of  this  measure  must  be  obvious  to  all;  it 
need  not,  therefore,  be  enforced;  and  with  regard 
to  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  such 
as  from  a  peculiarity  of  circumstances  wish  not  to 
receive  furloughs  at  this  time,  will  give  in  their  names 
by  12  o'clock  to-morrow,  to  the  commanding  officers 
of  their  regiments,  that  on  a  report  to  the  Adjutant- 
General,  an  equal  number  of  men,  engaged  for  three 
years,  may  be  furloughed,  which  will  make  the  saving 
of  expenses  exactly  the  same  to  the  public. 

"I  cannot  but  hope  the  notes  will  soon  arrive,  and 
that  the  settlement  of  accounts  may  be  completed,  by 
the  assistance  of  the  Pay-Masters,  in  a  very  few  days. 
In  the  mean  time,  I  shall  have  the  honour  of  laying 
the  sentiments  of  the  Generals  and  Officers,  com 
manding  regiments  and  corps,  before  Congress;  they 
are  expressed  in  such  a  decent,  candid  and  affecting 


396  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        [JUNE,  i783 

manner,  that  I  am  certain  every  mark  of  attention 
will  be  paid  to  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
With  great  esteem,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  Servant, 
(Signed)  GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

The  two  preceding  papers  were  enclosed  in  the 
following  letter  from  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  his 
Excellency  the  President  of  Congress: 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEWBURGH,  June  7,  1783. 
"SiR,  C 

"I  HAVE  the  honour  to  enclose  to  your  Excel 
lency  the  copy  of  an  address  to  me  from  the  Generals 
and  Officers  commanding  regiments  and  corps,  to 
gether  with  my  answer  to  it.  These  enclosures  will 
explain  the  distresses  which  resulted  from  the  meas 
ures  now  carrying  into  execution  in  consequence  of 
the  resolution  of  the  26th  of  May;  but  the  sensibility 
occasioned  by  a  parting  scene,  under  such  peculiar 
circumstances,  will  not  admit  of  description! 

"The  two  subjects  of  complaint  with  the  army, 
appear  to  be  the  delay  of  the  three  months'  payment 
which  had  been  expected,  and  the  want  of  a  settle 
ment  of  accounts.  I  have  thought  myself  authorized 
to  assure  them  Congress  had  and  would  attend  par 
ticularly  to  their  grievances;  and  have  made  some 
little  variation  respecting  furloughs,  from  what  was 
at  first  proposed;  the  Secretary  at  War  will  be  able  to 
explain  the  reason  and  propriety  of  this  alteration. 

"While  I  consider  it  a  tribute  of  justice,  on  this 
occasion,  to  mention  the  temperate  and  orderly  be 
haviour  of  the  whole  army,  and  particularly  the  ac 
commodating  spirit  of  the  officers,  in  arranging 


JUNE,  1783]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  397 

themselves  to  the  command  of  the  battalions  which 
will  be  composed  of  the  three  years'  men,  permit  me 
to  recall  to  mind  all  their  former  sufferings  and 
merits,  and  to  recommend  their  reasonable  requests 
to  the  early  and  favourable  notice  of  Congress. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c." 

A  little  before  this  time,  the  officers  of  the  army 
beginning  to  realize  that  the  dissolution  of  the  army 
was  drawing  nigh,  and  wishing  to  perpetuate  that 
friendship  which  numerous  hardships,  sufferings,  and 
common  dangers  had  inspired  in  their  breasts,— 
resolved  to  form  themselves  into  a  Society,  by  the 
name  of  the  Cincinnati.  Several  meetings  were  had 
for  the  purpose,  and  an  Institution  was  digested  and 
completed;  and  although  our  General  presided  at 
one  of  the  meetings,  and  cheerfully,  at  the  request  of 
his  brother  officers,  transmitted  copies  of  the  Institu 
tion,  covered  by  a  letter,  to  the  officer  commanding 
the  southern  army,  and  to  the  senior  officers  of  the 
respective  State  lines,  from  Pennsylvania  to  Georgia 
—yet  he  had  serious  objections  to  the  Institution,  as 
it  stood,  and  refused  for  some  time  to  sign  it.  He 
wished,  as  much  as  any  one  in  the  army,  to  perpet 
uate  the  happy  friendship  cemented  in  the  breasts 
of  the  officers  by  an  eight  years'  common  danger  and 
sufferings;  but  he  thought  this  would  be  best  done 
by  simply  forming  a  Society,  to  meet  annually  in 
their  respective  States,  for  the  purpose  of  a  social 
hour,  and  to  brighten  the  chain  of  friendship,  with 
a  fund  for  the  relief  of  the  unfortunate  of  their  breth 
ren;  but  he  was  opposed  to  any  idea  of  any  thing 
that  had  any  resemblance  of  an  order,  or  any  insignia 
or  badge  of  distinction,  asserting  that  it  would  only 
serve  to  mark  them  in  an  unfavourable  light  with 
their  fellow  citizens:  but  the  prevailing  opinion  of 


398  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS        QUNE,  i783 

the  officers  was  otherwise.  Our  General  was  finally 
induced  to  sign  the  Institution,  from  the  following 
consideration — (but  not  until  all  the  officers  were 
appointed,  and  he  nearly  ready  to  leave  the  army) 
conversing  with  an  officer  of  rank,  who  was  of  the 
same  opinion  with  him,  they  parted  in  the  resolution 
not  to  sign  the  Institution;  but  the  next  morning,  the 
officer  called  upon  him,  and  observed  that  one  con 
sideration,  not  before  mentioned,  had  occurred  to 
him,  viz.  that  it  might  happen  in  the  days  of  their 
posterity,  in  case  they  did  not  sign,  that  the  descen 
dant  of  one  who  was  a  member  might  happen  to  fall 
in  company  with  the  descendant  of  one  who  was  not; 
that  the  latter,  on  observing  the  badge,  might  inquire 
what  it  was,  and  what  its  intention  ?  upon  his  being 
answered,  that  it  was  the  insignia  of  a  Society,  of 
which  his  ancestor, who  served  in  the  American  army, 
during  the  Revolution,  was  a  member — the  other 
might  reply,  my  ancestor  too  served  during  that  war, 
but  I  never  heard  any  thing  of  such  a  badge  in  our 
family;  to  which  it  might  probably  be  answered,  it  is 
likely  your  ancestor  was  guilty  of  some  misconduct 
which  deprived  him  of  it.  Upon  this,  our  General 
broke  out—  "I  see  it,  I  see  it,  and  spurn  the  idea/' 
which  led  him  to  sign  the  general  Institution:  and  he 
subscribed  to  the  State  fund,  166  dollars,  being  one 
month's  pay,  as  was  stipulated  in  the  Institution. 
He  however  never  met  with  the  Society,  although  no 
one  has  cherished  a  warmer  affection  for  every  mem 
ber  of  the  army.  After  the  revolution  in  France, 
finding  that  the  insignias  of  distinctions  were  doing 
away,  it  led  him  anew  to  review  the  distinction  which 
the  badge  of  the  Society  to  which  he  belonged,  if  not 
in  fact,  yet  in  appearance,  seemed  to  exhibit,  and 
brought  to  mind  all  his  former  objections,  which  in 
duced  him  to  write  to  the  Secretary-General  to  erase 


juNE,i783]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  399 

his  name  from  the  Institution;  but  that  his  subscrip 
tion  to  the  fund  should  remain  so  long  as  it  was  ap 
plied  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  given — the 
relief  of  the  unfortunate. 

6th. — In  the  forenoon,  the  Jersey  line  marched 
from  the  cantonment  to  their  own  State,  where  they 
were  to  be  disbanded.  The  same  day,  the  first  New 
York  regiment  made  a  present  of  their  standards  and 
band  to  Governor  Clinton;  they  were  escorted  to 
Poughkeepsie  by  the  light-infantry  company  of  the 
regiment. 

8th. — The  men  for  the  war,  belonging  to  the 
Maryland,  New  Jersey,  New  York,  and  New  Hamp 
shire  lines,  having  marched  from  the  cantonment,  a 
division  of  the  Massachusetts  men  marched  on  this 
day. 

9th. — A  division  of  the  Suffolk  and  Worcester  fur- 
loughed  men  marched  for  their  own  State,  and  so  on, 
a  division  each  day,  until  the  whole  had  marched. 

loth. — Our  General  was  General  of  the  Day.  In 
the  after  orders  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  on  this 
day,  it  was  expressed — "The  strength  of  the  army 
in  this  cantonment  being  considerably  diminished  by 
the  number  of  men  lately  furloughed,  the  order  of 
the  1 6th  of  April,  directing  a  General,  Field-Officers, 
and  Quarter-Master  to  be  of  the  day,  and  also  a 
regiment  to  parade  every  day  for  duty,  is  dispensed 
with.  For  the  present,  there  will  be  one  Field-Offi- 
cer,  and  an  Adjutant  of  the  day;  and  the  guards  only 
will  form  on  the  grand  parade  at  9  o'clock  in  the 
morning."  It  is  here  a  little  remarkable  that  our 
General,  by  whose  orders  and  under  whose  direction 
the  first  guard  in  the  American  war  mounted  at  the 
foot  of  Prospect  Hill,  on  the  evening  of  the  I9th  of 
April,  1775,  after  the  battle  of  that  day,  should  hap 
pen,  in  the  course  of  service,  to  be  the  last  General 


400  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         [JUNE,  i783 

of  the  day  in  the  American  main  army,  on  the  loth 
of  June,  1783,  to  inspect,  turn  off,  and  visit  the 
guards.  At  the  first  period,  the  roads  were  full  of 
militia  pressing  towards  Boston  to  commence  and 
prosecute  a  dubious  war;  they  were  now  filled  with 
veteran  soldiers,  covered  with  laurels,  returning  from 
the  field  to  their  peaceful  abodes. 

nth. — About  2  o'clock,  P.M.  the  wind  freshened 
from  the  west;  there  were  several  thunder-showers, 
with  large  hail-stones,  some  of  which  were  supposed 
to  be  two  inches  long.  The  lightning  struck  the 
flag-staff  of  the  New  Building,  entered  the  house,  and 
ran  down  the  south  side  of  it,  doing  some  damage, 
and  stunning  several  soldiers  near  the  door.  In  the 
general  orders  of  this  day  it  was  announced  that 
the  levees  were  to  be  discontinued. 

I3th. — The  men  who  had  enlisted  for  3  years,  and 
for  shorter  periods  not  expired,  were  formed,  those 
belonging  to  Massachusetts  into  4  regiments,  and 
were  to  be  commanded  by  Colonels  Michael  Jackson, 
Henry  Jackson,  and  Joseph  Vose,  and  Lieut.  Col. 
Commandant  Sprout.  On  the  morning  of  the  i6th, 
these  regiments  incorporated,  and  were  formed  into 
two  brigades,  the  one  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen. 
Patterson,  the  other  by  Brig.  Gen.  Greaton. 

iQth. — A  number  of  officers  of  the  army,  viz.  sev 
eral  general  officers,  and  officers  commanding  regi 
ments  and  corps,  met  at  the  New  Building,  and 
elected  his  Excellency  Gen.  Washington,  President 
General;  Gen.  M'Dougall,  Treasurer;  and  Gen. 
Knox,  Secretary,  pro  tempore,  to  the  Society  of  the 
Cincinnati. 

2Oth. — The  Massachusetts  State  Society  of  the 
Cincinnati  met,  and  made  choice  of  Maj.  Gen.  Lin 
coln  for  their  President;  Maj.  Gen.  Knox,Vice-Pres- 
ident;  Col.  John  Brooks,  Secretary;  Col.  Henry 


juNE,i783]        HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  401 

Jackson,  Treasurer;  and  Capt.  Heywood,  Assistant- 
Treasurer.  The  same  day,  the  troops  at  the  canton 
ment  were  put  under  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  for 
West  Point  on  the  succeeding  Monday. 

22d. — Our  General  issued  his  last  order,  which 
finished  as  follows:  "The  long-wished-for  period 
having  arrived,  when  the  din  of  war  ceases,  the  olive- 
branch  of  peace  is  displayed,  the  toils  and  fatigues  of 
the  field  are  drawing  to  a  close,  a  part  of  the  army 
have  already  mingled  with  their  fellow-citizens,  and 
others  will  probably  ere  long  join  them — Maj.  Gen. 
Heath  being  about  to  leave  the  army,  and  this  being 
the  last  opportunity  which  will  remain  in  his  power, 
to  express  that  affection  for  his  brother  officers  and 
soldiers,  which  more  than  eight  years'  service  has  es 
tablished  in  his  breast,  he  cannot  depart  without 
leaving  his  best  wishes  for  the  health,  prosperity  and 
happiness  of  those  whose  lot  it  is  a  little  longer  to 
continue  in  the  field — invoke  every  blessing  on  them, 
and  bid  them  an  affectionate  farewell." 

23d. — The  Massachusetts  regiments  marched  to 
West  Point. 

The  morning  of  the  24th,  our  General  was  to 
commence  his  journey  homeward;  but  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief  wished  him  not  to  proceed  until  the 
afternoon.  On  his  arrival  at  head-quarters,  Col. 
Humphreys,  one  of  the  aides-de-camp  of  the  Com 
mander  in  Chief,  gave  him  a  sealed  letter,  observing 
to  him  to  read  it  at  his  leisure.  On  opening  it,  in 
General  Washington's  own  hand-writing  it  was  as 
follows : 

(Private.) 

HEAD-QUARTERS,  June  24^,   1783. 
"DEAR  SIR, 

"PREVIOUS  to  your  departure  from  the  army, 
I  wish  to  take  an  opportunity  of  expressing  my  sen- 


402  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS         QUNE,  i783 

timents  of  your  services,   my  obligations   for  your 
assistance,  and  my  wishes  for  your  future  felicity. 

"Our  object  is  at  last  attained;  the  arrangements 
are  almost  completed,  and  the  day  of  separation  is 
now  at  hand.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  thank  you 
for  the  trouble  you  have  lately  taken  in  the  arrange 
ment  of  the  corps  under  your  orders,  as  well  as  for  all 
your  former  cheerful  and  able  exertions  in  the  public 
service.  Suffer  me  to  offer  this  last  testimony  of  my 
regard  to  your  merits;  and  give  me  leave,  my  dear 
Sir,  to  assure  you  of  the  real  affection  and  esteem 
with  which  I  am,  and  shall  at  all  times,  and  under  all 
circumstances,  continue  to  be 

Your  sincere  friend,  and 

Very  humble  servant, 
(Signed)  G.  WASHINGTON. 

Maj.  Gen.  HEATH." 

In  the  afternoon,  the  general  officers  were  in  Coun 
cil  at  head-quarters  in  consequence  of  an  express 
from  Philadelphia.  Four  or  five  hundred  men  of 
the  Pennsylvania  line,  of  those  who  had  been  fur- 
loughed  on  or  about  the  2Oth,  grew  very  mutinous, 
refused  to  obey  orders,  entered  the  city  of  Philadel 
phia,  seized  some  public  stores,  surrounded  the  place 
where  Congress  and  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 
were  sitting,  and  made  several  demands,  and  occa 
sioned  some  consternation,  which  caused  a  represen 
tation  to  the  Commander  in  Chief.  The  Continental 
regiments  were  to  be  put  under  marching  orders 
immediately.  It  was  judged  inexpedient  to  call  out 
the  militia. 

At  about  5  o'clock,  P.  M.  our  General  took  his 
leave  of  his  beloved  General,  and  commenced  his 
journey  for  Massachusetts,  and  arrived  at  his  house  in 
Roxbury  on  the  first  day  of  July,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 


DEc.i783]         HEATH'S    MEMOIRS  403 

where  he  gave  evidence  that  an  eight  years'  military 
life  had  not  divested  him  of  the  feelings  or  manners 
of  a  citizen. 

October  3Oth. — It  was  learnt  that  the  definitive 
treaty  of  peace  was  signed  the  3d  of  the  preceding 
September;  and  that  dispatches  were  sent  off  to  the 
different  Courts  in  Europe,  to  America,  the  East  and 
West  Indies,  &c.  with  an  account  of  this  happy 
event. 

Congress  by  a  proclamation  which  bore  date  the 
1 8th  of  this  month  discharged  from  further  service 
such  soldiers  as  were  engaged  for  the  war,  and  officers 
who  were  absent  by  derangement  and  furlough.  The 
discharges  to  take  place  the  3d  of  November, 
ensuing. 

November  2d. — Gen.  Washington  issued  his  last 
and  farewell  orders  to  the  federal  armies,  taking  an 
affectionate  leave  of  them,  and  giving  them  his  best 
advice. 

4th. — Gen.  Washington  by  proclamation,  in  com 
pliance  with  a  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  2Qth  of  the 
preceding  October,  discharged  all  the  troops  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  that  were  then  in  Penn 
sylvania  or  to  the  southward  thereof,  except  the 
garrison  of  Fort  Pitt. 

The  British  troops  having  left  New  York,  on  the 
25th  of  November,  at  one  o'clock,  P.  M.  a  detach 
ment  of  the  American  army  took  possession  of  the 
city;  after  which  his  Excellency  General  Washing 
ton,  and  Governor  Clinton,  made  their  public  entry, 
properly  escorted,  &c.  The  Governor  gave  a  public 
dinner  at  Fraunces'  tavern. 

December  2d. — There  was  a  grand  exhibition  of 
fire-works  in  celebration  of  the  peace,  at  the  Bowling 
Green  in  Broadway.  The  magnificent  fire-works  far 
exceeded  any  before  exhibited  in  the  United  States. 


404  HEATH'S    MEMOIRS          [DEC.  i7s3 

On  the  4th,  at  noon,  a  great  number  of  American 
officers  of  distinction  met  at  Fraunces*  tavern,  to  take 
their  leave  of  their  great  Commander,  Gen.  Wash 
ington,  who,  on  filling  a  glass  of  wine,  addressed  his 
brave  compatriots  as  follows: 

"With  an  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude,  I  now 
take  leave  of  you — I  most  devoutly  wish  that  your 
latter  days  may  be  as  prosperous  and  happy,  as  your 
former  ones  have  been  glorious  and  honourable." 

The  dissolution  of  the  American  army  (excepting 
a  small  detachment  of  artillery  and  of  infantry)  took 
place  a  few  days  after;  and  General  WASHINGTON, 
ere  long,  retired  to  his  seat  at  Mount  Vernon,  covered 
with  every  laurel  with  which  his  own  victorious  con 
duct,  and  a  grateful  country,  could  adorn  him;  and 
with  the  applause  of  an  admiring  world. 


EDITORIAL    APPENDICES. 

APPENDIX  I.     See  p.  15. 

Heath's  Roxbury  farm,  lying  at  the  foot  of  Parker's  Hill, 
was  long  since  given  over  to  residential  uses,  and  is  now 
bisected  by  a  street  which  bears  his  name.  The  house  in 
which  the  General  was  born  and  died  stood  at  the  easterly 
corner  of  the  present  Heath  Street  and  Bickford  Avenue. 
The  farm  passed  out  of  the  possession  of  his  family  a  few 
years  after  his  death  in  1814,  and  in  1843  the  house  was 
demolished. 

APPENDIX  II.     See  p.  29. 

The  British  losses  as  officially  stated,  and  as  adopted  by 
Stedman  and  Bancroft,  were  nineteen  officers  killed  and 
seventy  wounded;  of  the  rank  and  file,  207  killed  and  758 
wounded  —  a  total  of  1,054.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  as 
stated  by  Washington  in  his  report  to  Congress,  was  145 
killed  and  304  wounded  —  a  total  of  449.  Thus  each  army 
lost  nearly  one-third  of  the  forces  brought  into  action. 

APPENDIX  III.     See  p.  37. 

Professor  Justin  Harvey  Smith,  in  his  "Prologue  to  the 
American  Revolution,"  published  in  1902,  throws  fresh 
light  on  Allen's  foolhardy  attempt  to  capture  Montreal. 
No  student  of  the  Revolutionary  period  can  afford  to  neglect 
this  luminous  and  satisfying  little  volume. 

APPENDIX  IV.     See  p.  40. 

The  best  accounts  of  Arnold's  advance  into  Canada,  one 
of  the  heroic  achievements  of  the  Revolution,  are  Justin 
Harvey  Smith's  "Arnold's  March  to  Quebec,"  New  York, 


4o6  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

1903,  and  John  Codman's  "Arnold's  Expedition  to  Que 
bec,"  New  York,  1901,  both  of  which  contain  a  large  amount 
of  new  data.  Heath  fails  to  note  that  Washington  author 
ized  Arnold  and  Montgomery's  demonstrations  against 
Canada  because  he  believed  that  the  Canadian  opponents 
of  British  policy  would  eagerly  avail  themselves  of  the  oppor 
tunity  which  the  presence  of  the  colonial  troops  would  afford 
for  throwing  off  the  yoke  of  the  mother  country.  It  should 
be  added  that  the  invasion  of  Canada  was  not  determined 
upon  until,  to  quote  Bancroft,  "the  proclamation  of  martial 
law  by  the  British  governor,  his  denunciation  of  the  Ameri 
can  borderers,  and  the  incitement  of  savages  to  raids  against 
New  England  and  New  York,  had  made  that  invasion  a 
substantial  act  of  self-defence." 

APPENDIX  V.     See  p.  55. 

The  Montresor's  Island  of  Heath's  time  is  now  known  as 
Randall's  Island.  John  Montresor,  a  British  captain  of 
engineers,  became  its  owner  in  1772,  but  left  America  when 
the  British  evacuated  New  York,  and  in  1784  his  island 
home  became  the  property  of  Samuel  Ogden,  who  soon  sold 
it  to  Jonathan  Randel,  a  young  farmer  of  Harlem.  It  was 
from  Randel's  executors  that  the  city  of  New  York  in  1835 
bought  the  island,  which  perpetuates  his  memory,  though 
popular  usage  has  worked  a  change  in  the  manner  of  spelling 
his  name.  It  now  affords  a  site  for  the  New  York  House  of 
Refuge  for  juvenile  delinquents.  See  Wilson's  "New  York 
Old  and  New,"  Philadelphia,  1902. 

APPENDIX  VI.     See  p.  57. 

Washington,  in  June,  1776,  had  his  headquarters  in  the 
house  known  as  Richmond  Hill,  near  the  present  intersec 
tion  of  Charlton  and  Varick  Streets,  New  York.  Comely 
Phoebe  Fraunces,  daughter  of  a  well-known  publican  of  the 
town,  was  his  housekeeper,  and  to  her  fidelity  he  owed  the 
defeat  of  the  conspiracy  referred  to  by  Heath.  William 
Tryon,  late  royal  governor  of  New  York,  from  his  refuge  on 
board  a  British  man-of-war  lying  in  the  harbor,  had  laid, 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  407 

with  friends  ashore,  a  plot  to  seize  the  town.  One  part  of 
the  plan  was  the  murder  of  the  American  commander  by 
Thomas  Hickey,  a  British  deserter,  who  had  become  a 
member  of  Washington's  body-guard.  But  Hickey  lost  his 
heart  to  Phoebe  Fraunces  and  made  her  his  confidante.  She 
revealed  the  plot  to  her  father  who  made  it  known  to  Wash 
ington.  Hickey,  when  arrested,  confessed  his  crime  and 
revealed  the  details  of  the  plot.  David  Matthews,  the 
royalist  mayor  of  the  town,  convicted  of  correspondence 
with  Tryon,  was  thrown  into  jail,  while  Hickey,  as  Heath 
relates,  was  hanged  at  the  intersection  of  Grand  and 
Chrystie  Streets,  in  the  presence  of  20,000  spectators. 

APPENDIX  VII.     See  p.  58. 

For  this  ceremony  the  several  brigades  of  the  army  were 
formed  in  hollow  square  on  their  respective  parade  grounds. 
Washington  was  within  one  of  the  squares,  surrounded  by 
his  staff,  while  an  aide  read  the  Declaration.  This  square 
was  formed  on  what  was  then  the  Common  and  is  now  City 
Hall  Park.  Heath  fails  to  mention  one  stirring  incident  of 
that  eventful  evening.  After  the  ceremony  on  the  Common 
a  crowd  of  zealous  citizens  trooped  down  Broadway,  pulled 
from  its  pedestal  a  leaden  statue  of  George  III,  which  in 
1770  had  been  set  up  on  Bowling  Green,  and  chopped  it  into 
a  score  of  pieces.  The  main  portions  of  the  statue  were  sent 
to  a  place  of  safety  in  Litchfield,  and  there  the  wife  and 
daughters  of  Oliver  Wolcott,  the  patriot  governor  of  Con 
necticut,  speedily  converted  them  into  bullets  for  the  Conti 
nental  Army. 

APPENDIX  VIII.     See  p.  66. 

The  British  loss  in  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  as  officially 
stated,  was  sixty-three  killed,  and  337  wounded  and  missing. 
The  American  loss  was  970  killed,  wounded,  and  missing. 

APPENDIX  IX.     See  p.  70. 

Heath's  narrative  affords  only  a  confused  idea  of  the 
battle  of  Harlem  Heights.  The  British  forces  on  the  morn 
ing  of  September  16,  1776,  extended  in  a  diagonal  line  from 


4o8  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

the  present  Fifty-first  Street  and  the  East  River  to  the  present 
Ninety-first  and  Tenth  Avenue.  The  American  lines  ex 
tended  from  the  mouth  of  the  Harlem  westward  across  the 
island.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  i6th  Washington, 
anxious  to  force  the  hand  of  the  enemy,  sent  Colonel 
Knowlton  and  his  Connecticut  Rangers  to  reconnoitre. 
Knowlton's  party  came  in  contact  with  the  British  pickets  at 
what  is  now  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Street  and  the  Boule 
vard,  and  after  a  half  hour's  hard  fighting  was  compelled  to 
give  way  before  the  superior  numbers  of  the  British,  who 
now  advanced  and  occupied  the  hill  near  Grant's  Tomb. 
To  draw  them  from  the  hill  Washington  threw  a  body  of 
volunteers  into  the  valley  between  the  hill  and  the  American 
lines,  known  as  the  Hollow  Way,  while  he  ordered  Knowlton 
and  Major  Leitch,  of  the  Virginia  line,  to  make  a  circuit  and 
catch  them  in  flank  and  rear.  The  British  took  the  bait 
and  a  brisk  fight  was  in  progress  in  the  valley  when,  of  a 
sudden,  the  second  American  detachment  appeared  on  some 
rocks  at  what  is  now  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-third  Street 
and  the  Boulevard,  and  began  a  fierce  attack  upon  the 
enemy's  flank.  Both  Knowlton  and  Leitch  were  mortally 
wounded  early  in  the  action,  but  the  Americans,  despite  the 
loss  of  their  leaders,  fought  stubbornly,  and  slowly  drove  the 
British  into  a  buckwheat  field  at  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth 
Street,  now  part  of  the  ground  west  of  Columbia  University. 
Here  the  British  made  a  second  stand,  and  here,  both  sides 
having  been  reinforced,  occurred  the  hardest  fighting  of 
the  day.  The  enemy  held  their  ground  for  upward  of  an 
hour,  but  were  finally  routed,  and  the  end  of  the  battle 
found  the  Americans  holding  the  ground  from  which  Knowl 
ton  had  been  driven  in  the  morning.  The  British  loss,  as 
reported  by  Howe,  was  ninety-two  killed  and  wounded,  in 
cluding  eight  officers;  the  American  loss  was  about  half  that 
number.  See  Henry  Phelps  Johnston's  "  Battle  of  Harlem 
Heights,"  New  York,  1897. 

APPENDIX  X.     See  p.  73. 

New  York  was  twice  visited  by  destructive  fires  during 
the  Revolution.     Five  hundred  buildings  were  destroyed  in 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  409 

the  fire  of  September  21,  1776,  which  swept  from  Whitehall 
through  Broad  and  Beaver  Streets  to  Broadway,  and  thence, 
sparing  the  western  side  of  Bowling  Green  and  of  Broadway 
above  Trinity  Church,  burned  all  the  western  part  of  the 
town.  The  second  fire,  on  August  7,  1778,  reduced  to 
wreck  more  than  one  hundred  buildings  in  the  region  south 
of  Pearl  Street,  between  Coenties  and  Old  Slips.  No 
attempt  was  made  to  repair  this  devastation  until  the  end  of 
the  British  occupation  of  the  city. 

APPENDIX  XI.     See  p.  77. 

The  island  referred  to  by  Heath  is  now  known  as  Ward's 
Island,  and  is  owned  by  the  city  of  New  York,  which  uses  it 
for  hospital  and  asylum  purposes. 

APPENDIX  XII.     See  p.  83. 

Heath  errs  in  his  account  and  does  scant  justice  to  the 
battle  of  Pell's  Point,  which  was  one  of  the  most  important 
of  the  minor  engagements  of  the  Revolution.  When  Wash 
ington  began  withdrawing  his  army  to  the  Westchester  hills 
after  the  battle  of  Harlem  Heights,  his  progress,  owing  to 
lack  of  proper  facilities,  was  necessarily  slow  and  his  force 
much  exposed.  Howe,  noting  these  facts,  determined  if 
possible  to  get  to  the  rear  of  Washington,  force  him  to  re 
treat  to  the  Harlem,  and  there  catch  him  between  two  fires. 
With  this  purpose  in  mind  he  landed  4,000  British  and 
Hessians  at  Pell's  Point  on  October  18,  1776,  and  began  to 
march  towards  New  Rochelle,  but  found  his  progress  dis 
puted  by  a  force  of  750  men  commanded  by  Colonel  John 
Glover,  who  had  received  commands  to  check  Howe's 
advance  long  enough  to  enable  Washington  to  safely  reach 
White  Plains.  Glover  disposed  his  little  band  with  masterly 
skill,  tempting  the  enemy  with  a  small  force,  then  retreating 
and  luring  them  to  a  point  where  they  offered  a  target  to 
200  Americans  hidden  behind  a  stone  wall.  The  fight  that 
followed  inflicted  terrific  punishment  upon  the  British  and 
Hessians,  and  their  advance  was  checked  long  enough  for 
Washington  to  complete  his  retreat  to  White  Plains.  See 
William  Abbatt's  "  Battle  of  Pell's  Point,"  New  York,  1901. 


4io  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

APPENDIX  XIII.     See  p.  85. 

The  officer  who  commanded  in  the  attack  on  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  as  Rogers'  corp  was  called,  was  Colonel  Haslett,  of 
Delaware,  who  had  joined  the  Continental  army  on  the  eve 
of  the  battle  of  Long  Island  and  who  was  killed  a  few  weeks 
later  at  Princeton. 

APPENDIX  XIV.     See  p.  114. 

The  Reverend  Charles  Inglis,  after  having  been  for  several 
years  one  of  the  curates  of  Trinity  Parish,  New  York,  in  1777 
became  its  rector,  but,  being  a  staunch  royalist,  he  was  soon 
banished  to  England  and  his  estates  confiscated.  Dr.  Ben 
jamin  Moore,  after  the  Revolution,  served  as  rector  of  Trin 
ity,  Protestant  Episcopal  bishop  of  New  York,  and  president 
of  Columbia  College. 

APPENDIX  XV.     See  p.  133. 

Why,  in  the  summer  of  1777,  Howe  sailed  south  to  attack 
Philadelphia  instead  of  marching  north  to  co-operate  with 
Burgoyne  remained  a  mystery  until,  a  little  more  than  forty 
years  ago,  a  document  was  discovered  in  England  which 
threw  a  flood  of  light  on  the  question.  When  the  marplot, 
Charles  Lee,  was  captured  in  New  Jersey  in  December, 
1776,  he  was  taken  to  New  York  and  there  confined  for 
more  than  a  year.  During  this  time,  he  intrigued  actively 
with  the  enemy,  and  in  March,  1777,  went  so  far  as  to  write 
out  for  the  brothers  Howe  a  plan  of  operations  by  which  they 
might  best  subdue  the  Americans.  This  document  re 
mained  hidden  for  eighty  years,  but  was  finally  found 
among  the  archives  of  the  Strachey  family,  one  of  whose 
members,  Sir  Henry  Strachey,  was  secretary  to  the  Howes 
during  the  Revolution.  In  it  Lee  asserted  that  an  over 
whelming  majority  of  the  people  of  Maryland  and  Pennsyl 
vania  were  loyalists,  who  would  welcome  the  arrival  of  a 
British  army.  He  accordingly  advised  that  a  strong  force 
should  drive  Washington  out  of  New  Jersey  and  occupy 
Philadelphia,  thus  paralyzing  the  operations  of  the  "rebel 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  411 

government,"  while  the  remainder  of  Howe's,  transported 
by  sea  to  Chesapeake  Bay,  should  occupy  Alexandria  and 
Annapolis.  A  proclamation  of  amnesty  issued  from  these 
points,  Lee  argued,  would  effect  the  pacification  of  the 
"central  colonies"  in  less  than  two  months.  General  Howe 
did  not  adopt  Lee's  plan  in  its  entirety,  but  the  weight  he 
gave  it  in  shaping  the  movements  of  his  army  appeared  in 
Burgoyne's  surrender  and  his  own  profitless  occupation  of 
Philadelphia. 

APPENDIX  XVI.     See  p.  135. 

In  July,  1777,  Jenny  McCrea,  the  beautiful  daughter  of  a 
Scotch  clergyman  of  Paulus  Hook,  now  Jersey  City,  was 
visiting  with  her  friend  Mrs.  McNeil  at  Fort  Edward.  She 
was  betrothed  to  David  Jones,  a  loyalist  serving  as  lieu 
tenant  in  Burgoyne's  army.  Jones,  bent  upon  a  speedy 
union,  sent  a  party  of  Indians  under  a  half-breed  named 
Duluth  to  escort  Miss  McCrea  to  the  British  camp,  where 
they  were  to  be  married  by  one  of  the  chaplains.  Before 
Duluth  reached  Fort  Edward  a  second  party  of  Indians,  led 
by  a  sachem  known  as  the  Wyandot  Panther,  attacked  Mrs. 
McNeil's  house  and  carried  off  the  two  women.  Duluth 
and  the  Panther  met  in  the  forest  and  the  former  insisted 
upon  taking  Miss  McCrea  with  him.  High  words  ensued, 
and  in  the  end  the  Panther  drew  his  pistol  and  shot  the  girl. 

APPENDIX  XVII.     See  p.  152. 

Congress  from  first  to  last  treated  the  captured  army  with 
bad  faith.  Not  only  did  it  demand  that  the  provisions  and 
fuel  supplied  to  it  should  be  paid  for  in  gold,  reck 
oned  at  their  first  cost  in  depreciated  Continental  paper 
money,  but  it  also  demanded,  as  appears  from  Heath's 
narrative,  that  Burgoyne  should  make  out  a  descriptive  list 
of  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  in  his  army,  although  no  such 
provision  was  contained  in  the  convention,  upon  the  faith  of 
which  that  general  had  surrendered.  Small  wonder  that 
Burgoyne  at  first  refused  to  comply  with  both  demands. 
But  Congress'  sacrifice  of  honor  to  policy  did  not  end  here, 
for  in  January,  1778,  it  forbade,  on  a  specious  pretext,  the 


4i2  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

embarkation  of  Burgoyne  and  his  troops  "till  a  distinct  and 
explicit  ratification  of  the  Convention  of  Saratoga  shall  be 
properly  notified  by  the  court  of  Great  Britain  to  Congress/* 
The  required  ratification  was  not  forthcoming,  since  to  give 
it  would  have  compelled  Great  Britain  to  formally  recognize 
the  independence  of  the  United  States;  and,  although  Bur 
goyne  was  allowed  to  return  to  England  a  prisoner  on  parole, 
the  soldiers  of  the  captured  army  were  never  sent  home.  In 
the  autumn  of  1778,  as  Heath  relates,  they  were  transferred 
to  Charlottesville,  Virginia,  and  thence  in  1780  removed  to 
Winchester  in  the  Shenandoah  valley,  to  Frederick  in  Mary 
land,  and  to  Lancaster  in  Pennsylvania.  Many  were  ex 
changed  or  allowed  to  escape,  but  the  greater  number 
remained  in  this  country  and  became  American  citizens. 

APPENDIX  XVIII.     See  p.  198. 

It  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  Lee's  conduct  at  Monmouth 
had  for  its  treacherous  purpose  the  humiliation  and  possible 
downfall  of  Washington,  whom  he  bitterly  hated.  Sternly 
rebuked  at  the  moment  by  the  commander-in-chief,  he  was 
placed  under  arrest  two  days  after  the  battle,  and  a  court- 
martial  convened,  before  which  he  was  charged  with  dis 
obedience  of  orders  in  not  attacking  the  enemy,  with  making 
an  unnecessary  and  shameful  retreat,  and  with  gross  disre- 
pect  to  Washington,  from  whom  he  had  in  the  meantime 
demanded  an  apology  for  the  language  addressed  to  him  on 
the  field  of  battle.  The  trial,  which  lasted  more  than  a 
month,  ended  in  his  conviction  on  all  three  charges,  and 
suspension  from  command  for  the  term  of  one  year.  A 
little  later,  an  angry  letter  which  he  addressed  to  Congress 
caused  his  summary  expulsion  from  the  army. 

APPENDIX  XIX.     See  p.  201. 

When  in  July,  1778,  Washington's  army,  encamped  at 
White  Plains,  was  cheered  by  the  arrival  in  American  waters 
of  a  powerful  French  fleet,  commanded  by  the  Count 
d'Estaing,  a  joint  attack  was  at  once  planned  on  New  York, 
where  lay  Clinton's  forces,  smarting  under  their  recent 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  413 

repulse  at  Monmouth.  The  defeat  and  capture  of  the 
British  army  seemed  certain,  for  the  French  fleet  was 
superior  in  numbers  and  efficiency  to  that  which  guarded 
the  harbor;  but  an  unforeseen  obstacle  compelled  d'Estaing 
to  forego  a  blow  which,  followed  up  by  the  patriot  army, 
would  have  put  an  end  to  the  war.  It  was  found  that  the 
largest  of  the  French  ships  could  not  with  safety  venture 
upon  the  bar  at  the  entrance  to  the  harbor,  and  with  nature 
fighting  on  the  side  of  the  enemy  the  projected  attack  had 
to  be  abandoned. 

APPENDIX  XX.     See  p.  204. 

When  it  was  found  that  the  French  fleet  could  not  enter 
the  harbor  of  New  York,  Washington  persuaded  d'Estaing 
to  go  to  Newport  and  join  in  a  combined  naval  and  land 
attack  upon  the  British,  who  held  that  place  with  6,000  men. 
The  movement  would  probably  have  been  successful  had 
not  d'Estaing's  fleet  been  so  severely  damaged  by  the  storm 
of  August  13,  1778,  that  he  was  compelled  to  go  to  Boston 
to  refit,  after  which  the  American  army  under  Sullivan, 
depleted  by  desertions  and  threatened  by  British  reinforce 
ments  from  New  York,  abandoned  the  siege  and  retreated 
to  the  mainland.  A  year  later  the  British  voluntarily 
withdrew  from  Newport. 

APPENDIX  XXI.     See  p.  212. 

The  inhabitants  of  Cherry  Valley  were  murdered  without 
regard  to  age  or  sex.  There  is  evidence,  however,  that 
Joseph  Brant  (Thayendanegea)  did  what  he  could  to  re 
strain  the  ferocity  of  his  savage  followers.  See  Stone's 
"Life  of  Brant,"  Albany,  1865. 

APPENDIX  XXII.     See  p.  213. 

The  escape  from  Gosport  was  not  the  only  one  effected 
by  Americans  confined  in  English  prisons.  In  May,  1781, 
Lieutenant  Joshua  Barney  of  the  privateer  "Pomona, "garbed 
in  the  undress  uniform  of  a  British  officer,  walked  boldly 


4H  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

out  of  Mill  Prison,  near  Portsmouth,  and  after  many 
thrilling  adventures  made  his  way  to  Holland  and  France, 
and  thence  to  America. 

APPENDIX  XXIII.     See  p.  223. 

In  the  assault  on  Stony  Point  the  Americans  lost  fifteen 
killed,  and  eighty-three  wounded,  and  the  British  sixty-three 
killed.  The  remainder  of  the  garrison,  to  the  number  of 
553,  including  the  wounded,  were  made  prisoners.  There 
was  no  wanton  shedding  of  blood,  and  Stedman,  the  con 
temporary  British  historian,  praises  Wayne  for  his  human 
ity,  declaring  that  he  "would  have  been  fully  justified  in 
putting  the  garrison  to  the  sword." 

APPENDIX  XXIV.     See  p.  228. 

The  attack  on  Paulus  Hook  by  Major  Henry  ("Light 
Horse  Harry")  Lee  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  incidents 
of  the  Revolution.  Paulus  Hook,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Jersey  City,  was  a  low  spur  of  land  reaching  out  into  the 
Hudson,  and  connected  with  the  mainland  only  by  a 
narrow  causeway  which  spanned  a  morass,  washed  and 
often  flooded  by  the  tide.  The  British  had  fortified  it  with 
block-houses  and  redoubts,  and  in  August,  I779>  **  was 
garrisoned  by  500  men.  Lee  volunteered  to  surprise  the 
fort,  and  on  the  night  of  August  i8th  led  150  picked  men 
to  the  attack.  The  surprise  was  complete,  and  though 
reinforcements  from  New  York  compelled  Lee  to  beat  a 
hasty  retreat,  he  carried  159  prisoners  with  him  into  the 
Highlands,  losing  of  his  own  force  only  two  killed  and  three 
wounded. 

APPENDIX  XXV.     See  p.  231. 

The  expedition  against  the  Six  Nations  was  Washington's 
answer  to  the  Wyoming  and  Cherry  Valley  massacres. 
Sullivan's  army  of  about  4,000  men  advanced  into  the 
Indian  country  in  two  divisions.  The  right  wing,  com 
manded  by  General  James  Clinton,  marched  up  the  valley 
of  the  Mohawk  as  far  as  Canajoharie,  and  then  turned  to 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  415 

the  southwest,  while  the  left  wing,  under  Sullivan  himself, 
starting  from  Easton,  ascended  the  Susquehanna.  The  two 
columns  met  on  August  22  at  Tioga  Point,  N.  Y.,  and  a 
week  later,  near  the  present  site  of  Elmira,  gave  battle  to 
1,500  Tories  and  Indians  led  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  whose 
influence  had  kept  the  Six  Nations  on  the  side  of  the  Crown. 
The  enemy  was  routed  with  great  slaughter,  and  then  the 
Americans,  resuming  their  march,  laid  waste  the  entire 
country  of  the  Cayugas  and  Senecas,  more  than  forty  villages 
being  razed  to  the  ground.  The  Six  Nations  never  re 
covered  from  the  blow  thus  inflicted  upon  them. 

APPENDIX  XXVI.     See  p.  237. 

Bunker  Hill  excepted,  there  was  no  action  of  the  Revolu 
tion  where  so  great  a  loss  was  sustained  in  so  brief  a  period 
as  in  the  assault  of  the  allied  forces  on  Savannah.  General 
Moultrie,  in  his  "Memoirs,"  puts  the  American  losses  at 
457  m  killed  and  wounded,  while  the  French  casualties 
amounted  to  183  killed  and  454  wounded.  The  British 
losses  were  forty  killed  and  115  wounded  and  missing. 

APPENDIX  XXVII.     See  p.  255. 

The  British  forces  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Charleston 
numbered  about  12,000  men.  The  defending  army,  in 
cluding  500  in  hospital,  did  not  exceed  2,000  men.  The 
British  losses  during  the  siege  were  seventy-six  killed  and 
189  wounded. 

APPENDIX  XXVIII.     See  p.  257. 

The  skirmish  at  Springfield  was  stubbornly  contested  on 
the  part  of  the  Americans,  but  none  of  the  participants,  says 
Irving,  "showed  more  ardor  in  the  fight  than  Caldwell,  the 
chaplain,  who  distributed  Watts's  psalms  and  hymn  books 
among  the  soldiers  when  they  were  in  want  of  wadding, 
with  the  shout,  'Put  Watts  into  them,  boys!" 


4i 6  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

APPENDIX  XXIX.     See  p.  275. 

The  battle  of  King's  Mountain  was  one  of  the  most 
obstinate  of  the  war.  The  American  losses  in  killed  and 
wounded  were  eighty-eight.  The  British  casualties  were 
206  killed,  127  wounded,  and  648  taken  prisoners. 

APPENDIX  XXX.     See  p.  281. 

Laurens,  when  captured  off  the  banks  of  New  Foundland, 
was  on  his  way  to  the  Hague  to  negotiate  a  loan.  He  was 
carried  to  London  and,  on  a  charge  of  high  treason,  kept  in 
close  confinement  in  the  Tower  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

APPENDIX  XXXI.     See  p.  305. 

The  action  referred  to  by  Heath  was  the  battle  of  Hob- 
kirk's  Hill  or  Camden,  which  occurred  on  April  25,  1781. 
The  American  losses  were  twenty  killed,  116  wounded  and 
136  missing,  while  the  total  of  British  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing  was  258. 

APPENDIX  XXXII.     See  p.  311. 

The  former  home  of  Schuyler  still  stands  at  the  head  of 
Schuyler  Street,  in  the  southern  part  of  Albany.  In  August, 
1781,  a  band  of  Tories  and  Indians,  secreted  in  the  nearby 
woods,  watched  long  for  a  favorable  opportunity  to  capture 
its  owner  and  carry  him  off  to  Canada  as  a  prisoner.  Schuy 
ler,  however,  was  on  his  guard  against  a  movement  of  the 
kind,  and  when,  one  afternoon,  he  was  told  that  a  stranger 
wished  to  see  him,  he  seized  his  firearms  and  hastily 
gathered  his  family  about  him  in  an  upper  room.  Here  it 
was  discovered  that  the  youngest  child,  an  infant,  had  been 
left  below  asleep  in  its  cradle,  whereupon  the  general's 
third  daughter,  afterward  the  wife  of  Stephen  Van  Rens- 
selaer,  rushed  downstairs,  caught  up  the  child,  and  started 
back  through  the  hall,  just  as  the  Indians  and  Tories 
entered  through  the  servants'  quarters  in  the  rear.  The 
foremost  savage,  catching  a  glimpse  of  the  flying  girl,  hurled 
his  tomahawk  at  her  head,  which,  barely  missing  her,  struck 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  417 

the  railing  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs.  The  Tory  leader,  be 
lieving  her  one  of  the  servants,  called  out  to  know  where  her 
master  was,  when,  with  signal  presence  of  mind,  she  replied 
that  he  had  gone  to  alarm  the  town.  Then  Schuyler, 
leaning  from  an  open  window,  fired  his  pistol  in  the  air  and 
shouted  to  imaginary  friends,  "Come  on,  my  brave  boys, 
and  we've  got  them!"  whereupon  the  intruders  beat  a  hasty 
retreat. 

APPENDIX  XXXIII.     See  p.  316. 

Whaleboat  warfare  was  a  peculiar  and  detestable  feature 
of  the  Revolutionary  struggle  on  the  waters  about  New 
York.  A  full  account  of  the  subject  will  be  found  in  Wil 
son's  "Historic  Long  Island,"  New  York,  1902. 

APPENDIX  XXXIV.     See  p.  320. 

A  curious  figure  in  the  journalism  of  the  Revolutionary 
period  was  James  Rivington,  whose  "Gazeteer  and  Weekly 
Advertiser"  was  long  the  organ  of  the  royalist  party  in  New 
York.  He  wielded  a  keen  and  bitter  pen,  and  in  December, 
1775,  a  patriot  mob,  angered  by  his  attacks,  broke  open  his 
office,  destroyed  his  presses,  and  carried  off  his  type  in 
bags.  Rivington  went  to  England  after  this  raid,  but  re 
turned  in  September,  1777,  with  a  new  press  and  type,  and, 
reissuing  his  paper,  continued  it  under  the  title  of  the  "  Royal 
Gazette"  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was,  however,  a 
time-server  and  trimmer,  and,  when  persuaded  that  the 
colonists  would  gain  their  independence,  did  not  scruple  to 
act  as  a  spy  for  Washington.  This  deceitful  service  made 
it  possible  for  him  to  remain  in  New  York  after  its  evacua 
tion  by  the  British,  but  he  never  prospered,  and  his  last  days 
were  passed  in  penniless  obscurity. 

APPENDIX  XXXV.     See  p.  323. 

Fort  Griswold  at  Groton  was  garrisoned  by  157  militia 
men.  The  attacking  force  numbered  600  British  regulars, 
and  so  stubborn  was  the  defense  that  the  British  lost  192 
men  before  they  carried  the  fort  by  storm.  Once  within  the 


4i8  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

fort  no  quarter  was  given,  and  of  the  garrison  only  twenty-six 
escaped  unhurt.  "There  is  no  redeeming  feature  which 
history  can  recognize,"  is  Carrington's  comment  on  this 
affair. 

APPENDIX  XXXVI.     See  p.  326. 

The  battle  between  the  French  and  British  fleets  at  the 
entrance  to  Chesapeake  Bay,  on  September  5,  1781,  in 
which  700  men  were  killed  and  wounded,  though  called  an 
indecisive  action,  left  the  French  masters  of  the  Chesapeake, 
and  by  destroying  all  chance  of  Clinton's  relieving  Corn- 
wallis  decided  the  final  issue  of  the  war. 

APPENDIX  XXXVII.     See  p.  327. 

During  his  stay  in  New  York,  Prince  William  Henry,  the 
future  William  IV,  who  lodged  with  Admiral  Digby  in  the 
mansion  of  Gerardus  Beekman  in  Hanover  Square,  nar 
rowly  escaped  capture  by  the  patriots.  A  plot  for  his  ab 
duction  was  laid  by  Colonel  Mathias  Ogden,  of  the  New 
Jersey  line,  and  approved  by  Washington.  Two  score 
officers  and  men,  with  Ogden  at  their  head,  were  to  embark 
on  a  rainy  night,  land  in  New  York  near  the  Beekman 
mansion,  force  an  entrance,  and  carry  off  the  prince  and 
his  guardian.  But  the  enterprise  was  abandoned  when  the 
British  leaders,  forewarned,  took  extra  care  to  assure  the 
safety  of  the  prince.  Save  for  this  warning,  the  boldness 
of  Ogden's  plan  might  have  insured  its  success. 

APPENDIX  XXXVIII.     See  p.  331. 

The  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  though  set  down  as  a  British 
victory,  was  followed  by  the  retreat  of  the  victors,  who  until 
the  end  of  the  war  remained  cooped  up  in  Charleston,  pro 
tected  by  their  ships.  The  American  losses,  as  reported  by 
Greene  were  408  killed  and  wounded,  while  the  British 
casualties,  according  to  the  official  returns,  totalled  693  men. 

APPENDIX  XXXIX.     See  p.  334. 

The  British  force  surrendered  at  Yorktown  numbered  a 
little  less  than  8,000  men.  The  losses  of  the  allied  armies 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  419 

during  the  siege  was  seventy-five  killed  and  199  wounded, 
while  the  British  casualties  were  156  killed,  326  wounded, 
and  seventy  missing. 

APPENDIX  XL.     See  p.  335. 

Thus  disappeared  from  the  scene  one  of  the  most  sinister 
figures  in  the  history  of  the  Revolution.  Early  in  that 
struggle  many  of  the  loyalists  of  central  New  York,  obliged 
by  their  patriot  neighbors  to  abandon  their  homes,  found  a 
refuge  at  Fort  Niagara,  whence  the  Johnsons,  Colonel  John 
Butler  and  his  son  Walter,  with  their  Indian  allies,  made 
frequent  and  terrible  incursions  against  the  frontier  settle 
ments.  Walter  Butler  seems  to  have  been  the  most  ruthless 
of  these  Tory  leaders.  He  played  a  leading  part  in  the 
Wyoming  and  Cherry  Valley  massacres,  and  it  has  been 
truthfully  said  that  "  some  of  the  atrocities  which  he  per 
mitted  have  never  been  outdone  in  the  history  of  savage 
warfare."  See  Campbell's  "Annals  of  Tryon  County," 
New  York,  1831. 

APPENDIX  XLI.     See  p.  345. 

The  commander  of  Delancey's  corps  was  Colonel  James 
Delancey,  of  the  famous  loyalist  family  of  that  name.  He 
had  been  high  sheriff  of  Westchester  county  before  the 
Revolution,  and  at  its  close  retired  to  Nova  Scotia.  His 
younger  brother  Oliver,  however,  was  so  good  a  patriot  that 
he  resigned  his  commission  as  lieutenant  in  the  British  navy 
rather  than  fight  against  his  native  land. 

APPENDIX  XLII.     See  p.  372. 

Lee  died  "in  a  mean  public  house  in  Philadelphia,  friend 
less  and  alone.  His  last  wish  was  that  he  might  not  be 
buried  in  consecrated  ground,  or  within  a  mile  of  any  church 
or  meeting-house,  because  he  had  kept  so  much  bad  com 
pany  in  this  world  that  he  did  not  choose  to  continue  it  in 
the  next.  But  in  this  he  was  not  allowed  to  have  his  way. 


420  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  of  Christ  Church  in  Phila 
delphia,  and  many  worthy  citizens  came  to  the  funeral." 

APPENDIX  XLIII.     See  p.  374. 

The  building  referred  to  by  Heath,  "a  structure  of  rough 
hewn  logs,  oblong  square  in  form,"  crowned  an  eminence  in 
what  is  now  the  southern  part  of  the  city  of  Newburg,  and 
was  known  both  as  the  New  Building  and  as  the  Temple. 
It  was  torn  down  a  few  years  after  the  Revolution,  but  still 
gives  a  name  to  its  former  site,  which  is  called  Temple  Hill. 

APPENDIX  XLIV.     See  p.  379. 

Major  General  William  Alexander,  of  New  Jersey,  was 
commonly  known  as  Lord  Sterling,  from  a  lapsed  Scotch 
earldom  to  which  he  claimed  the  title.  He  was  a  native  of 
New  York  and  a  son  of  James  Alexander,  a  famous  lawyer 
of  the  colonial  period. 

APPENDIX  XLV.     See  p.  380. 

Prior  to  the  Revolution  New  Hampshire  laid  claim  to  all 
the  territory  that  now  comprises  Vermont,  and  between 
1760  and  1768  granted  charters  to  138  townships  which 
became  known  as  the  New  Hampshire  Grants.  New  York 
made  a  similar  claim,  obtained  from  the  crown  a  grant  of 
jurisdiction  and  attempted  to  eject  the  settlers  from  their 
farms,  but  this  step  was  effectually  resisted  by  bodies  of 
militia  led  by  Ethan  Allen  and  Seth  Warner  and  known  as 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  In  September,  1775,  the  towns 
declared  the  grants  an  independent  district,  and  in  1776 
applied  for  admission  to  the  Confederation,  but  was  de 
barred  by  the  opposition  of  New  York.  A  few  months  later 
the  grants  declared  themselves  to  be  a  free  and  independent 
jurisdiction  or  state,  and  again  vainly  sought  admission  to 
the  Confederation.  The  refusal  of  Congress  to  admit  the 
claims  of  the  State  led  some  of  its  citizens  to  listen  to  over 
tures  from  England,  but  the  legislature,  which  first  assem 
bled  in  1778,  did  not  favor  a  return  to  British  allegiance,  and 


EDITORIAL  APPENDICES  421 

nothing  came  of  the  negotiations.  Congress  in  1781  offered 
to  admit  Vermont  with  a  smaller  area  than  at  present,  but 
she  refused  and  did  not  enter  the  Union  until  1791 

APPENDIX  XLVI.     See  p.  383. 

General  Heath  does  scant  justice  to  an  unusual  and 
significant  incident.  The  Continental  soldiers  had  re 
mained  long  unpaid,  and  when  the  army  was  about  to  be 
disbanded  in  the  spring  of  1783,  General  Gates  and  a  few 
other  officers  had  an  inflammatory  address  distributed 
among  the  troops  urging  them  to  demand  their  pay  and 
get  it  or  appeal  to  force.  Washington  censured  this  address 
in  general  orders,  and  then  called  a  meeting  of  the  officers. 
When  they  had  assembled,  Washington  arose  and  began  a 
short  speech.  He  admitted  the  justice  of  their  claims,  and 
expressed  deep  sympathy  for  their  sufferings,  but  appealed 
to  them  not  to  desert  their  country's  cause  after  covering 
themselves  with  scars  in  its  defence;  and  above  all  not  to 
become  the  dupes  of  British  intrigues,  as  the  address  that 
had  aroused  them  had  doubtless  been  the  work  of  crafty 
emissaries  of  England,  "eager  to  disgrace  the  army  they  had 
not  been  able  to  conquer  in  the  field."  He  assured  them 
that  Congress  would  do  them  justice,  and  took  from  his 
pocket  a  letter  to  sustain  this  assurance,  which  he  attempted 
to  read,  but  could  not  without  putting  on  his  glasses. 
Slowly  raising  them,  he  said  with  quiet  pathos,  "My 
brothers,  I  have  grown  gray  in  your  service,  and  now  I  find 
myself  becoming  blind."  At  the  conclusion  he  walked 
slowly  out,  but  there  was  no  more  of  the  meeting.  Those 
who  remained  did  so  only  to  pass  resolutions  professing 
faith  in  Congress  and  loyalty  to  their  country. 

APPENDIX  XLVII.     See  p.  388. 

A  majority  of  the  loyalists  who  filled  New  York  at  the 
time  of  its  evacuation  by  the  British  were  unwilling  or  afraid 
to  remain  after  the  departure  of  the  royal  troops,  and  were 
granted  lands  in  Canada,  where  they  settled.  Several  thou 
sand  went  to  River  St.  John,  other  thousands  to  Port  Rose- 


422  EDITORIAL  APPENDICES 

way,  Annapolis,  and  Halifax,  and  the  remainder  to  Port 
Moulton  and  Cumberland.  Their  going  worked  sharp 
discomfort  and  heavy  loss  to  the  exiles;  but  it  had  its  com 
pensations,  for  it  freed  State  and  nation  of  what  of  a  cer 
tainty  would  have  proved  a  disturbing  and  mischievous 
element  during  the  most  critical  period  of  our  history. 

APPENDIX  XLVIII.     See  p.  389. 

The  figures  recorded  by  General  Heath  are  excessive,  but 
there  is  no  doubt  that  the  lot  of  the  men  confined  in  the 
prisons,  and  especially  on  board  the  prison-ships  at  New 
York,  was  a  pitiful  one.  First  in  the  North  River  off  the 
Battery,  and  later  in  Wallabout  Bay,  on  the  Brooklyn  side, 
a  half  dozen  old  hulks  were  moored  and  used  in  succession, 
two  or  three  at  a  time,  as  floating  prisons.  The  most 
notorious  of  these,  because  the  one  longest  in  service,  was 
the  "Jersey,"  a  sixty-four  gun  ship  before  her  dismantle 
ment,  which  was  sent  to  the  Wallabout  in  1780,  and  served 
as  a  prison  until  the  end  of  the  war.  Often  1,000  men  were 
confined  on  her,  and  there  they  sickened,  sank,  and  died  by 
scores.  What  remains  of  the  "Jersey"  now  lies  buried 
beneath  the  Brooklyn  navy-yard.  The  bodies  of  its  victims 
were  buried  in  shallow  pits  at  the  water's  edge,  where  the 
tide  soon  uncovered  their  graves;  but  in  after  years  their 
bones  were  recovered  and  given  proper  burial.  Many  of 
the  men  who  died  in  the  city's  prisons  now  rest  in  Trinity 
churchyard. 


KEY  TO  NAMES  OF  PLACES. 


AMBOY  —  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J. 

BRUNSWICK — New  Brunswick, 
N.  J. 

CHADERTON'S  HILL  —  Chatter- 
ton's  Hill 

DE  LANCEY'S  MILLS  —  stood 
in  what  is  now  Bronx  Park, 
New  York  City 

ELIZABETHTOWN  —  Elizabeth, 
N.  J. 

HORN'S  HOOK  —  now  88th 
Street,  East  River,  New  York 
City 

HORSE  NECK  —  the  present 
Greenwich,  Conn. 

KAKAAT  —  the  present  Rama- 
po,  N.  Y. 

MARPOACH  POND  —  now  Lake 
Mahopac,  N.  Y. 

MILE  SOJJARE  —  the  present 
Armonk,  N.  Y. 

NELSON'S  POINT  —  now  Garri 
sons,  N.  Y. 

NEW  CITY  ISLAND  —  now  City 
Island 

NUTTEN  ISLAND  —  now  Gov 
ernor's  Island 

ODLE'S  —  Odell  Tavern,  yet 
standing  at  Elmsford,  N.  Y. 


PELL'S  NECK  —  now  Rodman's 
Neck  in  the  town  of  Pelham, 
N.  Y. 

PHILLIPSE'S  —  the  present  Yon- 
kers,  N.  Y. 

POLIPINS  ISLAND  —  now  known 
as  Pollopel's  Island 

POOPLOP'S  CREEK  —  now  Pep- 
loop's  Creek 

SAW  PITS  —  now  Port  Chester, 
N.  Y. 

SECUNNET  —  Seaconnet,  R.  I. 

SKENESBOROUGH  —  now  White 
hall,  N.  Y. 

TAPPAN  —  now  Old  Tappan, 
N.  Y. 

VALENTINE'S  —  Valentine's 
Hill 

WARWORSING  —  the  present 
Warwarsing,  N.  Y. 

WATER  PASSAGE  —  now  known 
as  the  Bronx  Kills,  New  York 
City 

WATSON'S  CORNER  —  now  the 
corner  of  North  Avenue  and 
Spruce  Street,  Cambridge, 
Mass. 

YORK  ISLAND  —  Manhattan 
Island. 


INDEX. 


The  abbreviations  Br.  and  H.  distinguish  British  and 
Hessian  officers. 


Abbatt,  William,  409 
Adams,  John,  232 
Adams,  Winborne,  Lieut.  Col., 
'39 


Barber,    Francis,    Lieut.    Col., 

381 

Barney,  Joshua,  Captain,  382, 

413 
Barras,  de,  Count,  320 


Agnew,  James,  Maj.  Gen.  (Br.)  Barrett,  Samuel,  173,  174 

143  Barry,  John,  Captain,  305,  378 

Alden,   Ichabod,   Colonel,   21 1  Barton,  William,  Colonel,  132 

Allen,  Ethan,  Colonel,  36,  37^  Battle,  John,  Captain,  24 


405,  420 
Andre,  John,  Major  (Br.),  267 

268,  269 
Angell,  Israel,  Colonel,  254 


Baume,    Lieut.    Colonel    (H.), 

135 

Bearmore,  Major  (Br.),  236 
Bedel,  Timothy,  Colonel,  55 


Arbuthnot,    Mariot,    Admiral,        Bedkins,  Henry,  Major,  237 


228,  265,  288,  292 


Bemis  Heights,  Battle  of,  140 


Armand,  Charles,  Colonel,  127,        Bennington,  Battle  of,  135 


236,  238 
Armstrong,  John,  Major,  235 
Arnold,    Benedict,    Maj.    Gen. 


Bernard,  Sir  Francis,  16 
Bibby,  Thomas,  Major  (Br.), 

189 

36,  40,  45,  129,  136,  140,  214,       Bond,  William,  Colonel,  39,  52, 
267,  268,  275,  280,  285,  286,  54,  107 

29°,  322,  323,  337,  405 
AsgilljCaptain  (Br.),  352,  358 


Boston,  Siege  of,  30-52 
Bougainville,  Gen.,  209 
Atlee,  Samuel  John,  Colonel,  71        Bowdoin,  James,  107 

Bradford,    Gamaliel,    Colonel, 

128 
Bradford,  William,  Lieut.  Col., 


B 


Badlam,  Ezra,  Lieut.  Colonel, 

166,245  211 

Bailey,  John,  Colonel,  128  Bradley,  Philip  Burr,  Colonel, 

Baldwin,  Jeduthan,  Colonel,  30  234 

Baldwin,  Loammi,  Colonel,  83  Brandywine,  Battle  of,  137-138 


426 


INDEX 


Brant,  Joseph,  212,  413  Capes  of  Virginia,   Battle  off, 

Brewer,  Jonathan,  Colonel,  84          294,  326,  418 
Breyman,  Lieut.  Col.  (H.),  135      Carey,  Richard,  Colonel,  93 
Bridge,  Ebenezer,  Colonel,  39        Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  95,  107,  275, 
Brodhead,  Daniel,  Colonel,  68,          352,  353,  354,  355,  356,  357, 

358,  359,  366,  369,  380,  383, 

388,  389 
Carrington,  Henry  B.,  Colonel, 

418 


71 

Brooks,  John,  Colonel,  400 
Brown,  John,  Lieut.  Col.,  139, 

140,  274 


Brown,     Richard,     Lieutenant       Cavendish,  Lord,  368 


(Br.),  181,  187,  188 


Cedars,  Battle  of  the,  56 


Bryant,  John,  Captain,  80,  81,       Chaderton's  Hill,  Battle  of,  88- 

90,  119,  123,  138  ^89 

Buchanan,    Thomas,    Captain,       Champion,  Henry,  Colonel,  302 

Champion,    Henry,    Jr.,    Cap 
tain,  337 


277 
Bullard,  Moses,  Major,  260 


Bumstead,  Thomas,  Major,  201       Chapman,  James,  Major,  70 
Bunker  Hill,  Battle  of,  26-29,       Charleston,  British  Capture  of, 


405 


254,  415 


Burgoyne,  Sir  John   (Br.\  57,  Chase,  Colonel,  146 

135,  138,  143,  144,  146,  147,  Chastellux,  de,  Marquis,  278 

148,  151,  152,  153,  154,  156,  Cherry    Valley,    Massacre    at, 
157,  159,  1 60,  161,  165,  1 66,          211,  212,  413 

167,  168,  169,  171,  172,  173,  Chester,  John,  Colonel,  69,  114 


411,412 
Bushnell,  David,  79 


Chestnut  Hill,  Skirmish  at,  150 
Church,  Benjamin,  Dr.,  38 


Buskirk,  Lieut.  Col.  (Br.),  no  Cincinnati,  Society  of,  397 

Butler,  Walter,  212,  335,  419  Clark,  George  Rogers,  Colonel, 

Byles,  Thomas  L.,  Major,  247  379 

Byron,  John,  Admiral,  206  Clinton,    George,    Brig.    Gen., 

63,  67,  95,  96,  I04,  1 06,  in, 
113,  141,  275,  301,  388,  389, 

Cadwallader,  John,  Brig.  Gen.,  399>  4°3 

115  Clinton,   Sir  Henry,    108,    125, 

Camden,    Battle   of,   265,   305,  178,  179,  197,  198,  211,  217, 

416  222,  224,  233,  238,  246,  254, 

Campbell,  Lieut.  Colonel  (Br.),  259,  261,  265,  284,  293,  316, 

56  325,  327,  328,  337 

Campbell,    Lieut.    Gen.    (Br.\  Clinton,  James,  Brig.  Gen.,  95, 

370 
Campbell,  William  W.,  419 


96,  Hi,275,4i5 
Clouston,     Thomas,     Captain, 

Canada,  Invasion  of,  36,  38,  39,  131 


40,  44,  46,  54,  55,  406 


Codman,  John,  406 


INDEX 


427 


Colburn,  Andrew,  Lieut.  Col., 

139 

Coleman,  Dudley,  Lieut.  Colo 
nel,  1 66 

Collier,  Sir  George,  217 
Concord,  Battle  of,  20,  25 
Constitution  Island,  95,  141 
Conway,  General,  360 
Cooke,  Nicholas,  168 
Cooper,  James,  Captain,  243 
Corny,  de,  Louis  D.  E.,  256 
Cowpens,  Battle  of,  287 
Cornwallis,  Charles,  Earl,  98, 
255,  289,  290,  292,  293,  294, 

3T9>  33°»  33*>  332,  333 
Craft,  Edward,  Colonel,  79,  139 
Craik,  James,  Dr.,  253 
Crane,  John,  Colonel,  32,  68, 

128,  129,  310. 
Cruger,    John    Harris,    Lieut. 

Col.,  238 

Curtis,  William,  Major,  166 
Custine,  de,  Count,  280 

D 

Dalrymple,   Hugh,      Captain 

(Br.)9  169,  171 
Damas,  Count,  278 
Danbury,  Attack  on,  129 
Davis,  Colonel,  146 
Davis,  William,  49 
Deane,  Silas,  174 
De  Borre,  Preudhomme,  Brig. 

Gen.,  127 
De  Forest,  Samuel,  Lieutenant, 

338 

De  Hart,  William,  Colonel,  53 

Delancey,  James,  Colonel,  281, 
419 

Delancey,  Oliver,  419 

D'Estaing,  Count,  200-202, 
204,  205,  207,  208,  213,  231, 
235,  236,  237,  380,  412,  413 


Deux  Fonts,  Count,  285 
Digby,  Admiral,  324,  326,  332, 

338,  366,  383,  4i8 
Donop,  Colonel  (H.),  150 
Downer,  Eliphalet,  Dr.,  22,  41, 

213 

Drake,  Commodore,  266 
Drew,  Seth,  Captain,  240 
Du  Coudray,  P.  C.  J.  B.,  129, 

139 

Dunham,  George,  Captain,  326 
Dunmore,  Lord,  43,  60 
Du  Plessis,  Chevalier,  278 
Du     Portail,     Lebegue,     Brig. 

Gen.,  208 

Durkee,  John,  Colonel,  57 
Dyckman,  Abraham,  344 


Elbert,  Samuel,  Brig.  Gen.,  215 
Eldridge's  Island,  77 
Elizabethtown,  Skirmish  at,  118 
Elizabethtown,  Surprise  of,  242 
Emmerick,  Colonel  (Br.),  227 
Enos,  Roger,  Colonel,  40,  331 
Esopus,  Burning  of,  142 
Eutaw  Springs,  Battle  of,  330, 

418 
Ewing,  James,  Brig.  Gen.,  115 


Fairfield,  Burning  of,  221 
Farley,  Michael,  Capt.  Lieut., 

243 » 244 

Ferguson,  Colonel  (Br.),  274 
Fernald,  Tobias,  Captain,  216 
Fersen,  Axel,  Count,  287 
Flagg,  Ebenezer,  Major,  303 
Fleury,  de,  Louis,  Colonel,  280 
Foster,    Thomas    Waite,    Cap 
tain,  40 

Fox,  Charles  James,  368 
Fox  Mills,  Skirmish  at,  274 


428 


INDEX 


Francis,  Ebenezer,  Colonel,  132 
Franklin,  William,  380 
Fraunces,  Phoebe,  406,  407 
Fraunces'  Tavern,  403,  404 
Fraser,  Brig.  Gen.  (Br.),  132, 

140 
Freeman's    Farm,     Battle    of, 

*3*>  r39 

Frost,  John,  Colonel,  118 
Frye,  Joseph,  Brig.  Gen.,  44 


Galvan,  Major,  288 

Gambier,  Admiral,  21 1 

Gansevoort,  Peter,  Colonel, 
272 

Gates,  Horatio,  Maj.  Gen.,  29, 
54,  56,  108,  138,  140,  144, 
152,  156,  209,  215,  237,  238, 
251,  252,  265,  367,  371,  384, 
420 

Gerard,  Conrad  A.,  231 

Germantown,    Battle    of,    142, 

143 

Gerry,  Elbridge,  20 

Gill,  Erasmus,  Lieutenant,  231 

Gillon,  Alexander,  Commodore, 

379 

Gilman,  Nicholas,  Colonel,  118 
Gimat,  Colonel,  288 
Gleason,  Micajah,  Captain,  70 
Glover,  John,  Brig.  Gen.,  40, 

60,  83,   134,   146,   165,   1 66, 

338,  339,  409 
Godfrey,   George,    Brig.   Gen., 

259 

Gooch,  John,  Captain,  97 
Gordon,  Lord  George,  264 
Gould,  Jacob,  Captain,  44 
Gouvion,  Jean  Baptiste,  Colo 
nel,  277 

Graham,  Major,  291 
Graham,  John,  Captain,  116 


Graham,  Morris,   Colonel,  65, 

80 
Granby,    Fort,    Surrender    of, 

306 
Grasse,    de,    Count,   305,   311, 

3i5>  3J9>  320,  327,  332,  343, 

362 

Graves,  Admiral,  258,  338 
Greaton,  John,  Colonel,  32,  52, 

54,  107,  318,  400 
Greene,    Christopher,   Colonel, 

259,  265,  266,  303 
Greene,  Nathaniel,  Maj.  Gen., 

26,  29,  54,  62,  71,  262,  264, 

271,  273,  289,  290,  292,  294, 

305,  306,  307,  330,  372,  379 
Greene,  William,  302 
Grenville,  Thomas,  366 
Grey,  Maj.  Gen.  (Br.),  138 
Gridley,  Richard,  Colonel,  30 
Grosvenor,  Thomas,  Lieut.  Col., 

218 

Guichen,  Count  de,  267 
Guilford,  Battle  of,  294 

H 

Hallett,  Jonathan,  Captain,  233 
Hamilton,  Lieut.  Col.,  292 
Hancock,     John,     Maj.     Gen., 

148,  202,  205,  276,  302,  304 
Hand,  Edward,  Colonel,  64,  67, 

77,  78,  80,  292 
Harcourt,  Colonel  (Br.),  no 
Harden,  Jonathan,  Captain,  136 
Harlem  Heights,  Battle  of,  70, 

407,  408 
Harnage,  Henry,  Major  (Br.), 

196,  197 

Harris,  Lieutenant,  346 
Harrison,   Robert  H.,  Colonel, 

103 

Harrod,  Captain,  104 
Hart,  John,  Lieut.  Capt.,  282 


INDEX 


429 


Haslett,  John,  Colonel,  71,  410 
Hastings,  John,  Captain,  166 
Hatfield,  Colonel  (flr.),  241 
Hay,  A.  Hawkes,  Colonel,  109 
Hazen,    Moses,    Colonel,    273, 

288,  311,  312 

Heath,  William,  Maj.  Gen.,  15- 
21,  23,  26,  29,  31,  39,  41,  47, 
49,  52,  53»  55,  62,  64-66,  68, 
71,  72-75,  77,  79,  80-85,  88, 
90-93,  95,  98,  100,  102-111, 
113,  116,  118-128,  138,  145- 
147,  151-153,  i55-J58,  l6°, 
168,  170,  172,  173,  175,  177, 
178,  183,  186,  187,  190,  193, 

195,  204,  205,   207,  208,  210, 

216-222,  224,  225,  230,  234, 
246, 248, 250-253,  257, 258, 
260,  261,  262,  264,  267,  270, 

271, 273, 278, 282, 295, 297, 
298,  301-304,  307-309,  312, 

316,  327,  328,  335,  336,  338- 

340,  348,  349>  353,  355,  357, 
364,  366,  368-371,  373,  375, 

3^3,  384,  393,  397-399,  4°i, 

402,  405 
Henley,  David,  Colonel,  44, 

127,  161-164,  166,  167,  171 
Henly,  Thomas,  Major,  74-76 
Herkimer,  Nicholas,  Brig.  Gen., 

135 

Heywood,  Captain,  401 
Hickey,  Thomas,  57,  407 
Hitchcock,  Daniel,  Colonel,  35 
Hiwell,  John,  342 
Hogan,  James,  Brig.  Gen.,  254 
Holman,  Jonathan,  Major,  60 
Hood,  Samuel,  Sir,  319 
Honeywell  (Hunnewell),  Israel, 

Captain,  342 

Hopkins,  Captain,  226,  227 
Hopkins,  Major,  183 
Hopkins,  Esek,  Commodore,  54 


Horton,  Jotham,  Captain,  79 
Howe,  Richard,  Lord,  59,  159, 

171,202 
Howe,  Robert,  Brig.  Gen.,  213, 

224,  230,  231,  234,  260,  286, 

287,  368 
Howe,  William,  Sir,  27,  56,  57, 

115,  130,  136,  137,  150,  175, 

409,  410,  411 
Huddy,    Captain,    Murder    of, 

35° 

Huggeford,  Major  (Br.),  281 
Hull,  Abner,  Lieutenant,  338 
Hull,  William,  Lieut.  Col.,  282, 

283,  285 
Humphrey,    William,    Colonel, 

125 
Humphreys,    David,    Colonel, 

282,  351,  401 
Huntington,  Ebenezer,  Major, 

105 
Huntington,     Jedidiah,      Brig. 

Gen.,  86,  96,  109,  no,  224, 

225,323 

Hutchinson,  Israel,  Colonel,  60 
Hutchinson,  Thomas,  17 


Independence,  Fort,  Attack  on, 

119,  120 
Inglis,  Charles,  Rev.,  108,  114, 

410 
Irvine,  James,  Brig.  Gen.,  150 

j 

Jackson,    Daniel,    Lieutenant, 

80,  90 
Jackson,  Michael,  Colonel,  74, 

76,  127,  131,  165,  166,  400 
Jameson,    John,    Lieut.    Col., 

273 

"Jersey,"  prison  ship,  422 
Jones,  David,  411 


43° 


INDEX 


Jones,  John  Paul,  Captain,  289 
Johnson,  Sir  John,  134,  415 
Johnston,  Henry  Phelps,  408 

K 

Kalb,  de,  Baron,  Maj.  Gen.,  265 
Keeler,  Samuel,  Captain,  241 
Keith,  Israel,  Colonel,  91,  148 
King's    Mountain,    Battle    of, 

274,  416 
Kingston,   Colonel    (Br.),    1 60, 

169 

Knapp,  Moses,  Major,  323 
Knowlton,    Thomas,    Colonel, 

44,  70,71,408 
Knox,  Henry,  Maj.  Gen.,  31, 

36, 45, 283, 367, 369, 370,  37 1 , 

400 
Knyphausen,  Lieut.  Gen.  (H.), 

96,  137,  198,  254,  284,  293 


La  Fayette,  Marquis  de,  208, 
212,  248,  259,  279,  285,  286, 
288,  290 

Lamb,  John,  Colonel,  310 
Langdon,  John,  Captain,  166 
Lasher,  John,  Colonel,  90 
Latouche-Treville,  de  la,  Cap 
tain,  248,  249,  251,  252,  253, 
256 

Laurens,  Henry,  155,  281,  416 
Laurens,    John,    Colonel,   318, 

344,  372 

Lauzun,  Duke  de,  287,  310,  343 
Laval  de  Montmorency,  Mar 
quis,  280 

Ledyard,  William,  Colonel,  321 
Lee,  Arthur,  Colonel,  20 
Lee,   Charles,   Maj.   Gen.,  29, 
81,  86,  87,  94,  98,  99,  101, 
104-110,  199,  372,  410,  412, 
419 


Lee,  Ezra,  Colonel,  127 

Lee,  Fort,  98 

Lee,  Henry,  Colonel,  228,  306, 

414 
Lee,  William  R.,  Colonel,  137, 

139,  165,  166 
Leggett,  William,  236 
Leitch,    Andrew,    Major,    70, 

408 

Leonard,  Abiel,  Rev.,  48 
Leslie,  Maj.  Gen.   (5r.),   112, 

341,  371 

Lexington,  Battle  of,  20,  25 
Lincoln,  Benjamin,  Maj.  Gen., 
78,    80,    116-118,    120,    122, 
124,  126,  140,  168,  171,  215, 
235,  236,  237,  254,  275,  346, 
400 
Lippincott,  Captain,  350,  352- 

354,  357 

Livingston,  Robert,  104 
Lockwood,    Samuel,    Captain, 

241,  338 

Logan,  Samuel,  Major,  74 
Long  Island,  Battle  of,  65,  66, 

407 
Lovelace   (Loveless),  Thomas, 

3*8 

Lovell,    Solomon,    Brig.    Gen., 

205,  248 

Lowther,  James,  Sir,  346 
Loyalists,    Departure    of,    388, 

420 

Luzerne,  Count  de  la,  230 
Lyman,  David,  Colonel,  240 
Lyman,  Elihu,  48 

M 

McCrea,  Jane,  135,  411 
McDougall,    Alexander,    Brig. 

Gen.,  81,  271,  367,  400 
Mclntosh,  Lachlan,  Brig.  Gen., 

254 


INDEX 


43 i 


McLean,  Colonel  (Br.),  226          Mosher,  John,  Lieutenant,  340 
Magaw,    Robert,    Colonel,    56,      Moulton,  Johnson,  Lieut.  Col., 


68,  71,  90,  97 


118 


Malcolm,  William,  Colonel,  85,      Moultrie,  William,  Brig.  Gen., 

254 


90,91 

Manly,  Captain,  380 
Marion,    Francis,    Brig.    Gen., 

306 

Mathew,    Henry,    Brig.    Gen. 

(Br.),  2I7,  238 
Matthews,  David,  407 
Maxwell,    Hugh,    Major,    281,      Munroe,  Captain,  260 

344 
Maxwell,  William,  Brig.  Gen., 

118,215 

Mead,  Jasper,  Lieutenant,  338 
Mead,  John,  Colonel,  241 


Mowatt,  Oliver,  Captain  (Br.), 

212,  215 

Moylan,  Stephen,  Colonel,  224 
Muhlenburg,  Peter,  Maj.  Gen., 

290 
Mumford,  Isaac,  35 


Musgrave,  Lieut.  Colonel  (Br.), 
J43 

N 

Nash,  Francis,  Brig.  Gen.,  143 

Meigs,  Return  Jonathan,  Colo-      Newhall,  Ezra,  Lieut.  Col.,  239 
nel,  130,  222  New   London>    Raid    on>    321, 

Mercer,  Hugh,  Brig.  Gen.,  115      ^^ , 
Mifflin,   Thomas,    Maj.    Gen.,      Nicholson  James,  Captain,  254 

J  TV!  -.,.«.»  L?  ...  «.  f1  ~— .  <rs*Q 


30,  67,  95,  115 
Miles,  Samuel,  Colonel,  68 


Nixon,  John,  Brig.  Gen.,  128, 
165,  265 


Millen  (Melien),  Janes',  Lieut.      Noaille.dc .Viscount   278 


Norton,  Lieut.  Col.  (Br.),  243 
O 


Col.,  332 
Monckton,  Lieut.  Colonel  (Br.), 

199 

Montgomery,  Fort,  95,  141 

Montgomery,  Major  (Br.),  322      Ogden,  Mathias,  Colonel,  418 
Montgomery,     Richard,     Brig.       Oliver,  Robert,  Major,  359 

Gen.,  29,  36,  44 
Monmouth,  Battle  of,  197-199 
Montresor,  John,  Captain  (Br.), 


Oakley,  Miles,  Lieutenant,  236 
Ogden,  Mathias,  Colonel,  418 
Oliver,  Robert,  Major,  359 
Olney,  Jeremiah,  Colonel,  310, 


406 


312,316 

Oriskany,  Battle  of,  135,  136 
Orne,  Azor,  20 


Montresor's  Island,  55,  73-76,  Oswald,  Richard,  378 

406 

Moore,  Benjamin,  114,  410 

Morgan,    Daniel,    Brig.    Gen.,  Parker,  Sir  Peter,  108 

138,  287  Parsons,  Samuel  H.,  Brig.  Gen., 

Merrill,  Amos,  Major,  328  71,  86,   108,   113,   117,   119, 

Morris,  Captain,  387  260 

Morris,  Robert,  310  Paterson,  John,  Brig.  Gen.,  53^ 

Morrison,  Major  (Br.),  174  54,  128,  242,  400 


432 


INDEX 


Patterson,  Colonel  (Br.),  59  Putnam,  Israel,  Maj.  Gen.,  26, 

Paulding,  John,  269,  270  28,  29,  39,  41,  54,  62,  73,  86, 

Paulus  Hook,   76,  Surprise  of,          116,  240 

228,  414  Putnam,    Rufus,    Colonel,    30, 

Pawling,    Albert,    Lieut.   Col.,          220,  317,  323 

238,  328 

Pawling,  Levi,  Lieut.  Col.,  92  x. 

Pell's     Point,     Battle    of,    83,      Quebec,  Assault  on,  44 

409 
Pennsylvania  Line,  Mutiny  of, 


R 


283 

Penobscot,  Expedition  to,  248 
Pensacola,  Capture  of,  307 
Percy,  Hugh,  Earl,  21,  96 
Perry,  Abner,  Colonel,  260 


Randall,  Thomas,  Captain,  166 
Rawdon,    Francis,    Lord,   306, 

320 

Read,  Major,  173 
Read,  Joseph,  Colonel,  83 


Phillips,    William,    Maj.    Gen.  Red  Bank,  Assault  on,  148,  149 

(Br.),  131,  146,  147,  169,  177,  Reed,  Joseph,  Adjt.  Gen.,  87, 

178,  180,  181,  183,  185,  188-  98,  342 

190,  276,  280,  305  Richards,  Peter,  Captain,  321 

Pickens,  Andrew,  Colonel,  292,  Riedesel,      Frederic      Adolph, 


307 


Baron,  146 


Pickering,  Timothy,  Brig.  Gen.,      Rivington,    James,    320,    324, 


264,  280 


326,  417 


Pigot,    Maj.    Gen.    (Br.),    27,      Roberts,  Moses,  Captain,  243 
174  Robinson,     Beverly,     Colonel, 

Pollard,  Jonathan,  Colonel,  91,          233 


»  l84 
Pomeroy,  Seth,  Brig.  Gen.,  18, 

29,30 


Rochambeau,  de,  Marshal,  257, 
258,  266,  267,  270,  309,  364, 
368,  369*  376 


Poor,   Enoch,    Brig.    Gen.,   54,       Rockingham,  Marquis  of,  368 


265 

Pope,  Isaac,  Captain,  293 
Popkin,  John,  Lieut.  Col.,  166 
Porter,  Elisha,  Colonel,  107 
Pray,  John,  Captain,  290,  348 
Preble,  Jedidiah,  18 


Rocky  Hill,  Skirmish  at,  116 
Rodney,    Lord    Admiral,    266, 

3°7>  363 
Rogers,    Robert,   Major   (Br.), 

77,85 
Ross,  Major  (Br.),  334,  335 


Prescott,  Maj.  Gen.  (Br.),  132  Rowley,  Major,  334 

Prescott,  William,  Colonel,  28,  Royal  George,  Sinking  of,  375 

80,  96,  112 
Pritchard,    Thomas,    Captain, 

282,  288,  341  Sacket,  Samuel,  Captain,  340 

Pulaski,   Casimir,  Count,   134,  St.   Clair,  Arthur,  Maj.  Gen., 

237  131,  132,  367 


INDEX 


433 


St.  Leger,  Barry,  Colonel  (Br.), 

'34,  i35»  J36 
St.    George,    Fort,    Attack    on, 

280 

St.  Mesme,  de,  Count,  288 
Sag  Harbor,  Attack  on,  130 
Saltonstall,  Captain,  321 
Saltonstall,    Dudley,    Captain, 

310 

Sands,  Comfort,  341 
Sargent,  Paul  Dudley,  Colonel, 

60,  71,  79 
Savannah,    British    capture   of, 

213,    American    assault    on, 

237,415 
Scammel,   Alexander,   Colonel, 

106,  292,  309-312,  329 
Schuyler,    Philip,    Maj.    Gen., 

29,  36,  132,  311,  416 
Scott,  Major,  317 
Scott,  Charles,  Brig.  Gen.,  254 
Scott,  John  Morin,  Brig.  Gen., 

71,   96,    104,    107,    118,    119, 

124 

Sewall,  Stephen,  Captain,  166 
Shee,  Colonel,  56,  68,  71 
Shelburne,  Lord,  368 
Shelby,  Isaac,  Colonel,  274 
Sheldon,  Elisha,  Colonel,  287, 

310,314,317 
Shepard,  William,  Colonel,  58, 

83,128 

Sherburne,  Henry,  Major,  55 
Simcoe,  Lieutenant  (Br.\  235 
Slongo,  Fort,  Capture  of,  327 
Smith,  Colonel  (Br.\  21 
Smith,  Justin  Harvey,  405 
Smith,  William,  352-357 
Sparhawk,     Nathan,     Colonel, 

115-117 

Specht,  Brig.  Gen.  (//.),  206 
Spencer,  Joseph  N.,  Maj.  Gen., 

29,  55>  62,  94 


Springfield,    Skirmish    at,    254, 

257,  415 
Sprout,  Ebenezer,  Colonel,  240, 

286,  400 
Stark,    John,    Brig.    Gen.,    52, 

135,  236,  279,  328 
Starr,  Josiah,  Colonel,  222 
Stedman,  Charles,  93,  414 
Sterling,     William     Alexander, 

Earl,  53,  66,  84,  95,  241,310, 

329>  339>  367>  369>  379»  420 
Stoddard,  Orange,  Captain,  243 
Stone,  William  Leete,  413 
Stony  Point,  Capture  of,  223, 

414 

Strachey,  Sir  Henry,  410 

Sullivan,  John,  Maj.  Gen.,  26, 

29>  54,  56,  60,  62.  65,  66,  76, 

85,   94,    104,    136,   202-205, 

215,  228,  229,  231,  413-415 

Sullivan's    Island,   Assault    on, 

59 
Sumner,    John,    Colonel,    128, 

344 
Sumter,   Thomas,    Brig.    Gen., 

306 

Swasey,  Joseph,  Major,  148 
Swift,  Heman,  Colonel,  326 


Talbot,  Silas,  Captain,  264 
Tallmadge,  Benjamin,  Colonel, 

280,  281,  321,  323 
Tarleton,  Banestre,  Lieut.  Col. 

(Br.\  287 
Ten  Broeck,  Abraham,  Colonel, 

124,336 
Ternay,  de,  Chevalier,  257,  258, 

266,  267,  281 
Thomas,  John,  Maj.  Gen.,  18, 

25,  29,  30,  54,  55 
Thompson,  Joseph,  Lieut.  Col., 

243,  244 


434 


INDEX 


Thompson,  William,  Brig.  Gen., 

53>  54,  56,  77,  276 
Thomson,    Charles,    152,    176, 

188 
Throop,  Dyer,  Colonel,  86,  283, 

285,  288 
Ticonderoga,   Capture    of,    36; 

retaken  by  British,  131 
Treadwell,    William,    Captain, 

104 
Trenton,    Battle   of,    114,    115, 

116,  117 
Trescott,  Lemuel,  Major,  327, 

342 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  129,  174, 
260,  301,  321 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  Jr.,  Colo 
nel,  351 

Trumbull,  Joseph,  30 

Tryon,  William,  174,  214,  222, 
407 

Tudor,  William,  Lieut.  Col.,  166 

Tupper,  Benjamin,  Colonel,  32, 
34,  104,  329,  339 

Tyler,  John,  Colonel,  86,  96, 
104,  109,  1 10 

Tyler,  Nathan,  Colonel,  260 


Valley  Forge,  150 

Van  Benschoten,  Elias,  Major, 

235 

Van  Rensselaer,  Henry  Killian, 

Brig.  Gen.,  274 
Van    Shaick,    Goose,    Colonel, 

216,  290,  311 

Van  Wart,  Isaac,  269,  270 
Varnum,  James  Mitchell,  Brig. 

Gen.,  280 
Vaudreuil,    de,    Marquis,    376, 

377 
Vaughan,     John,     Maj.     Gen 

(A-.),  217 


Vergennes,  de,  Count,  357 
Vermilyea,  Benjamin,  Captain 

.346 

Viomenil,  Baron,  376,  377 
Vose,  Joseph,  Colonel,  33,  242, 

288,  400 

W 

Wadsworth,  Peleg,  Brig.  Gen., 

292 

Walbridge,  Amos,  Major,  233 
Ward,  Artemas,  Maj.  Gen.,  18, 

25>  29>  33>  I26,  I27 
Ward,  Joseph,  Colonel,  24,  27, 

69,  96,  211 
Ward's  Island,  409 
Warner,  Seth,  Gen.,  287 
Warren,  Joseph,  Maj.  Gen.,  22 
Washington,    Fort,   62,   71,  84, 

96,  97 

Washington,  George,  General, 
29>  31,  54,  59,  61,  64,  66,68, 
70,73,81,84,87,90,91,93- 
95,  97,  103,  108,  113-116, 
118,  121,  125,  128,  131,  133, 
134,  136-138,  140,  150,  178, 

179,  197-199,  201,  203,  207, 
215,  223-225,  234,  237,  251, 
252,  260,  26l,  263,  266,  267, 
271,  272,  280,  282-284,  286, 

289,  294,   296-298,  301,  306- 
309,   3II,   3I2,    316,   318-320, 

329,  33 i,  332>  338,  347~349, 
35!-359>  362.  364,  365,  3H 
37^  373,  38o>  384,  388-390 
393,  396,  401-404,  406,  407, 
409,  420 

Washington,  Martha,  55,  58 
Waterbury,  David,  Brig.  Gen., 

3IO>  3J4,  358 

Waters,  Josiah,  Captain,  30 
Watson,  William,  Captain,  243, 

244 


INDEX 


435 


Wayne,  Anthony,  Maj.  Gen., 
138,  223,  365,  367,  414 

Weare,  Meshech,  303 

Webb,  Charles,  Colonel,  52 

Weisenfels,  Frederick  H.,  Colo 
nel,  2/2,  320,  324 

Welles,  Roger,  Captain,  282 

Wesson,  Edward,  Colonel,  128, 
129,  1 66,  200 

Wheeler,  Adam,  Captain,  21 

Whipple,  William,  Brig.  Gen., 
146 

Whitcomb,  John,  Brig.  Gen., 
19,  24 

White,  Anthony  Walton,  Lieut. 
Col.,  230 

Whitney,  Colonel,  118 

Wigglesworth,  Edward,  Colo 
nel,  128 

Willett,  Marinur,  Colonel,  272, 

333,  334 
William  Henry,  Prince,  326, 

369,  418 
Williams,  Daniel,  Captain,  303, 

341 


Williams,  David,  269,  270 
Williams,  Edward  Payson,  Cap 
tain,  44 

Williams,  James,  Colonel,  274 
Williamsburg,  Capture  of,  286 
Wilson,  Rufus  Rockwell,  406, 

417 

Winslow,  Edward,  216 
Wolcott,  Oliver,  407 
Woodbridge,  Major,  345 
Wood  Creek,  Skirmish  at,  134 
Woodford,  William,  Brig.  Gen., 

254 
Wooster,  David,  Maj.  Gen.,  29, 

56,  119,  124,  129 
Wyandot,  Panther,  the,  411 
Wyllys,  John  P.,  Major,  70 
Wyllys,  Samuel,  Colonel,  96 
Wyman,  William,  Captain,  44 
Wyoming,  Massacre  at,  201 

Y 

Yorke,  Sir  Joseph,  232 
Yorktown,  Siege  of,  329,  331- 
333'  4l8 


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